Universitas Trunojoyo Madura evolved from Universitas Bangkalan Madura (Unibang), which was established in 1981 through the Kyai Lemah Dhuwur MKGR Bangkalan Education Foundation. When it was still a private university, Unibang had only three faculties, which were the Faculty of Law, the Faculty of Economics, and the Faculty of Engineering. 

 Unibang then changed its status from a private to a public university based on the President Decree of the Republic of Indonesia No. 85 of 2001, dated July 5, 2001.

The change in status from Unibang to UTM was officially inaugurated on July 23, 2001. Abdurrahman Wahid, who was the President of the Republic of Indonesia, stated that one of the aspirations of the Madura community to have a public university had been realized.