The Committee of Pro-Chancellors of State-Owned Universities (COPSUN) on Sunday called on the leadership of Nigerian universities to establish Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Digital Governance Committees to drive the responsible adoption of Artificial Intelligence.

This call was contained in the communique of COPSUN at the end of their 8th Biennial conference held in Kano State, which was signed by their Chairman, Professor Ayodeji Omole, and made available to newsmen in Ibadan.

COPSUN urged federal and state governments to do more to ensure the sustainability of university education in Nigeria, while also tasking universities to develop digital integrity strategies for finance, academic processes, and data protection.

According to COPSUN, universities should constitute a committee to promote the effective deployment of AI and digital governance in university administration.

It said, “Universities should collaborate with anti-graft and intelligence agencies for joint training on server security and intelligence-sharing in the management of university affairs. Regulatory agencies should formulate policies limiting the number of universities a state may establish.”

While tasking State Governors to increase funding for state-owned universities, COPSUN advised Universities to seek endowments not only from alumni but also from capable stakeholders within society.

“Transparency and accountability should remain guiding principles in university financial management. University administrations should strengthen research and development initiatives under the guidance and supervision of their Governing Councils.

“Universities should establish Intellectual Property and Patent Offices (IPPOs) with responsibility for transforming research outputs into viable innovations.

“The conference resolved to engage the Nigeria Governors’ Forum on the prospects and limitations of state universities in Nigeria. Governments at all levels should do more to ensure sustainable university education in Nigeria.

“The conference reiterated the need for stronger synergy between universities and industry to translate research funding into practical innovations for economic development.”

COPSUN then reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening governance structures in state universities and ensuring that Nigerian state-owned universities remain globally competitive.