[4] The institution was initially located at the present site of Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic (Annex) before it was moved to Gyallesu, opposite Ahmadu Bello University, Kongo Campus - Zaria in 1973.
However, in August of the same year, the APC government reversed the conversion, restoring its former status as the Federal College of Education, Zaria, along with the others.
In June 2023, the APC-led government of Muhammadu Buhari initiated the process of formalizing the college's upgrade to university status.
[6] However, the process was not completed until September 2024, when a new government, led by Bola Tinubu, finalized the upgrade.
[7][8][9] Following the expiration of Dr. Abdullahi Ango Ladan's tenure in February 2021, Dr. Suleiman Balarabe, was appointed vice chancellor and provost.