The Committee of Pro Chancellors of State Owned Universities has directed Nigerian university leadership to constitute Artificial Intelligence and digital governance committees, marking a significant policy push toward technology integration in the administration of tertiary institutions across the country.

The resolution emerged from COPSUN's 8th Biennial Conference held in Kano State, with a communiqué signed by the committee's Chairman, Professor Ayodeji Omole, and made available to journalists in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

On funding, the committee tasked state governors to increase financial allocations to state owned universities, while advising institutions to seek endowments not only from alumni but also from capable stakeholders within society. The federal and state governments were equally urged to do more to ensure the sustainability of university education in Nigeria.

The communiqué further disclosed that universities should establish Intellectual Property and Patent Offices with responsibility for transforming research outputs into viable innovations, reinforcing the committee's push for practical outcomes from academic research.

COPSUN also urged institutions to collaborate with anti graft and intelligence agencies for joint training on server security and intelligence sharing in the management of university affairs, while regulatory agencies were called upon to formulate policies limiting the number of universities a state may establish.

"Transparency and accountability should remain guiding principles in university financial management," Omole stated, adding that university administrations must strengthen research and development initiatives under the guidance and supervision of their governing councils.

Beyond AI governance, the communiqué tasked universities with developing digital integrity strategies covering finance, academic processes, and data protection.

The conference announced plans to engage the Nigeria Governors' Forum on the prospects and limitations of state universities in Nigeria, with the committee stressing the need for stronger synergy between universities and industry to translate research funding into practical innovations for economic development.