Shibli National College is a premier seat of learning in eastern UP. It was founded in 1883 by the great oriental scholar; savant, Islamic historian & educationist, Allama Shibli Nomani, who realised that economic and educational backwardness of his community, could not be mitigated unless new methods of cultural progress were evolved. To arrest the rapid economic and socio-cultural decline of the community it was necessary to arm it with the weapon of modern education along with its traditional culture. He thought it prudent to combine the best elements of the culture of the east with the science and new vistas of knowledge developed in the west. He established this school to gradually achieve these cherished goals. The School established by him gradually grew in stature by relentless efforts of his disciples and successors. It rose to a Degree College standard in the tumultuous days of 1946 by untiring efforts of late Janab Basheer Ahmad Siddiqui. The succeeding principal, Janab Shaukat Sultan, worked relentlessly for the development of the college. Due to his sincere efforts the college became one of the first colleges to be accorded the post-graduate status by the Gorakhpur University in 1970.
At present by the grace of God and painstaking efforts of its management and successive Principals as well as staff, it has not only grown enormously in size but has also earned great reputation far and wide. The college, in all its activities, is surcharged with national feelings, lofty ideals, values and principles dear to the late Allama.
Shibli National College got accreditation of NIELIT previously DOEACC SOCIETY (An autonomous Scientific Society of Department of Information Technology, Ministry of Communication & Information Technology, Govt. of India) for conduct of its ‘O level’ course vide Letter No. DOEACC/Prov-1608 dated 05/01/2009, Accreditation Number O1819.
As Maharaja Suhel Dev State University (MSDSU), Azamgarh started functioning from April 2022; the affiliation of colleges of district Azamgarh & Mau have been transferred to MSDSU, Azamgarh.
The College aims at fostering the spirit of tolerance, understanding and brotherhood among various communities inhabiting this vast subcontinent. It attempts to inculcate an ability of free thinking, clear understanding and broad mindedness among its students. Its ambience is eco-friendly and free from any sectarian, primordial and parochial feelings which thwart the passage to nation building. The college through its various examinations aims to impart its students a self-disciplined life with an ability to become ideal citizens of the nation.