Nomenclature
Bowen University is a private institution owned by the Nigerian Baptist Convention and named after Reverend Thomas Jefferson Bowen who pioneered Baptist work in Nigeria in 1850.  The University obtained a final Government approval in 2001 but commenced academic activities on the 4th of November 2002 through its first student intake of about 500.

Philosophy
The University is conceived as a centre of learning and research of distinction; combining academic excellence with love of humanity, borne out of a God-fearing attitude, in accordance with the Baptist tradition of ethical behaviour, social responsibility and democratic ethos.  The guiding philosophy of the University is Excellence and Godliness.

The Motto
The motto of the University is “Excellence and Godliness”.  This emphasizes the importance the University attaches to the attainment of excellence imbued with Godliness in all its programmes and training. This motto  is the principle underpinning all academic pursuits in the University.

University Logo

The Logo
The focal point of the logo is the open book.  The sun stands for light, life and energy.  The palm frond, a dominant foliage of the Nigerian rainforest belt, used for celebrations in the Christian tradition, symbolizes freshness and a new beginning.   The wheel embodies the unending and unbroken circle of knowledge informed by Godliness, with the Baptist steering humanity along the path of knowledge.

Vision
The vision of the University is to be one of the foremost institutions for producing first rate graduates in science, technology and the humanities, who combine godliness and academic excellence with a strong sense of ethical responsibility, towards the development of the society at large.

Mission
The mission is to provide high quality, morally sound and socially relevant education, in the most cost-effective manner, to all its students, irrespective of gender, race, colour, ethnicity or religion.  The University will develop, promote and be run as a unique Christian institution with the following distinctive features:

• Unquestionable Christian morality
• Vocational and apprenticeship orientation towards the full employment of its products and
• A work-study programme of activities to instill work ethics and self-reliance in students.

Academic Development
The University currently runs three Faculties, namely

1. Agriculture
2. Science and Science Education
3. Social and Management Sciences

However there is a long-term plan to establish other Faculties including Medical, Engineering and Environmental Sciences.

Residential Policy
By University policy, all students are resident on campus and are therefore adequately housed.