The Peoples' Friendship University (PFU) was established on February 5th, 1960 by the USSR Government. On February 22nd, 1961, the University was renamed to honor Patrice Lumumba, a symbol of the African peoples' fight for independence. The University was designed to provide a space for students and academics to pursue their learning, teaching, and research activities without being influenced by political context, but rather guided by the principles of friendship and mutual support.

From the very beginning, PFU was international in its approach. In 1960, Russian language studies were introduced for international students at the preparatory faculty. On September 1st of the same year, Russian language studies were also introduced at the six main faculties of PFU: Engineering, History and Philology, Medicine, Agriculture, Science, and Law and Economics. In 1965, the first 288 students from 47 countries graduated from PFU. As the University continued to grow, the Soviet Government generously donated funds to begin construction on a new campus in the South-Western district of Moscow in 1966.