It was established in 1963 to produce qualified teachers to teach in secondary schools and teachers' training colleges and to conduct research and experiments on methods of teaching at all levels of education in Nigeria.

It formally commenced operations on 22 May 1964 with 93 students, 24 women and 69 men, and has metamorphosed into a first class College of Education in Nigeria and in the West Africa sub-region.

[11] The federal government of Nigeria under the Goodluck Jonathan presidency upgraded the College to a full-fledged university of education in May 2015.

[12] However, the new administration of former President Mohammed Buhari decided to put the new status on hold in August 2015 because of the absence of an enabling law.

The National Assembly finally passed the Adeyemi Federal University Establishment bill in December 2018 and the bill was assented by the former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Mohammed Buhari in December 2021.