The edict took effect in November 1987 when the school started operating as a tertiary institution affiliated to the University of Ibadan.
Later it was affiliated to the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria for pre-degree IJMB (Interim Joint Matriculation Board) courses.
The college had three schools: Arts, Science and Preliminary Studies and the Institute of Continuing Education.
[6] The Governor of Rivers State, Chief (Barrister) Nyesom Ezenwo Wike CON, signed the Port Harcourt Polytechnic Bill into law on 4 July 2016.
The schools, institutes and polytechnic departments are as follows: The governor of Rivers State, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, inaugurated a new governing council for the various educational institutions within the state, which also included Elechi Amadi Polytechnic.