The university was an outgrowth of the 1971 "Centre d'Enseignement Superieur", which consolidated a number of post-secondary and trade schools founded in the years following independence.

The IUTs offer a degree, called the "Diplôme universitaire de technologie" (DUT), in a one- to two-year program for students who have completed a Baccalaureate or equivalent.

Programs vary by location:[7] On 9 February 1990, 20 students in a peaceful march across the Kennedy Bridge into Niamey City Centre were killed by police and armed forces.

This event, known as the 'Kennedy Bridge Massacre', has since been seen as pivotal in bringing about popular alienation from the government of General Ali Saibou.

[citation needed] In June 2006, the university temporarily closed due to protests and rioting.