The Annual Zik Lecture Series which midwifed the Senator Ben Obi Institute for Governance, Legislative Studies and Zik Research, commenced in 2006 as an official university event through the initiative and sponsorship of Senator Ben Obi CON. The lecture series has ran uninterrupted for 13 good years in affiliation with the Faculty of Social Sciences of the university. It has over the years, grown to be the biggest single event in the entire university. Prominent African leaders, diplomats, scholars, top government officials, community leaders, captains of industry, students, etc, had attended the event. They include but not limited to President J.J Rawlings of Ghana, President Ernest Koroma of Sierra Leone, President Benjamin Mkapa of Tanzania, President Hilda Banda of Malawi, former Secretary of Commonwealth of Nations, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, Former ECOWAS President, Dr. Ibn Chambers, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Chief of General Staff, Ebitu Ukiwe, Prof. Wole Soyinka, Prof Okwudiba Nnoli, a number of state governors such as HE Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State, HE Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, HE Adams Oshiomole of Edo State, HE Peter Obi of Anambra State, HE Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, HE Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, HE Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta and HE Dr. Peter Mba of Enugu State, Dr. Mike Ozekhome, etc. The event has inspired in the leaders of government, academia and students, etc., the need to deliver responsible leadership in Africa rooted in true democratic principles and practice. It has also brought to the fore, the ideas of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe for a freer and more united Africa in which socio-economic and political developments take the front burner.
Following the success of the Zik Lecture Series, the idea of establishing a specialized Institute solely dedicated to the academic consolidation of the ideals of the great Zik of Africa in governance and legislative excellence for the good of Nigeria in particular and Africa in general was mooted. Thus, in 2022, the university authorities approved the establishment of the Institute named after one of the finest Nigerian legislators, statesman, and benefactor of the Zik Lecture Series, Senator Dr. Ben Ndi Obi CON.
The turning of sword ceremony for the magnificent two-floor edifice was laid on 16th November, 2022 by the then Governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa with the former Chief of General Staff, Ebitu Ukiwe, Dr. Mike Ozeokhome, Former Vice Chancellor, Professor Charles Esimone, Obi Alfred Achebe, Prof. Uche Azikiwe, etc.