The Committee of Pro-Chancellors of State-Owned Universities (COPSUN) has called on the leadership of Nigerian universities to establish Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Digital Governance Committees. This initiative aims to drive the responsible adoption of AI and enhance digital governance in university administration. The call was made in a communique issued at the end of COPSUN's 8th Biennial conference held in Kano State. The document was signed by the committee's Chairman, Professor Ayodeji Omole, and made available to journalists in Ibadan.
Key Recommendations
COPSUN urged federal and state governments to do more to ensure the sustainability of university education in Nigeria. The communique tasked universities with developing digital integrity strategies for finance, academic processes, and data protection. According to COPSUN, universities should constitute committees to promote the effective deployment of AI and digital governance in university administration.
Collaboration and Policy
“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,” the communique stated.
Funding and Transparency
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,” the committee emphasized.
Research and Innovation
University administrations were urged to strengthen research and development initiatives under the guidance and supervision of their Governing Councils. COPSUN recommended that universities establish Intellectual Property and Patent Offices (IPPOs) with the responsibility of 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.
Industry Synergy
“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 in order to translate research funding into practical innovations for economic development,” the communique added.
COPSUN reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening governance structures in state universities and ensuring that Nigerian state-owned universities remain globally competitive.
