Sanusi made the appeal during the 8th Biennial Conference of the Committee of Pro-Chancellors of State-Owned Universities in Nigeria held in Kano.

Addressing participants on the theme, “Unlocking the Potentials of Artificial Intelligence: University Governance, Internationalisation and Rankings,” the monarch emphasized the importance of immediate and deliberate action.

“This country needs a strategy. This country needs a policy framework. This country needs to be ready for the century that we are in,” he stated.

He called on Nigerian universities to play a leading role in creating a national blueprint for artificial intelligence, stressing that their responsibilities should go beyond teaching and research to include shaping policies that can drive innovation and national progress.

Sanusi warned that Nigeria could fall behind if it fails to act swiftly while other nations are already implementing structured AI-driven development plans.

He pointed to Ghana as an example of a country making strategic investments in artificial intelligence through youth empowerment, data systems, and economic transformation initiatives.

The former Central Bank of Nigeria governor also underscored the significance of universities as essential institutions within civil society, noting that they are critical to preserving democratic principles, academic freedom, and intellectual engagement.

“Without intellectuals, without academic freedom, the checks and balances required for a vibrant civil society will disappear,” he said.

Sanusi further praised state governments for acknowledging the role of pro-chancellors in strengthening governance and policy direction within higher institutions.

Earlier, Chairman of the Committee of Pro-Chancellors of State-Owned Universities in Nigeria, Ayodeji Omole, said the conference highlighted the importance of sustained collaboration among stakeholders in the education sector.

He noted that with more than 60 state-owned universities across the country, regular engagement is necessary to ensure policy coordination, institutional effectiveness, and stronger governance.

Omole added that universities must adapt to changing global realities, including technological disruption and evolving economic demands, through innovation and strategic planning.

Representing Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, Chief of Staff Suleiman Wali Sani reaffirmed that education remains a major priority for the state government.

He outlined ongoing investments in infrastructure, digital education, research, and workforce development aimed at positioning state-owned universities for global competitiveness.

According to him, the conference serves as a valuable platform for generating practical solutions to challenges facing Nigeria’s university system, particularly in governance, funding, innovation, and academic excellence.

Participants expressed hope that the discussions would help strengthen Nigeria’s higher education sector and better prepare it for opportunities in the digital era.

Speaking through his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, during an interview on Westernspring Television in Osogbo, the governor dismissed allegations of financial recklessness raised by opposition figures, describing them as false and deceptive.

Rasheed stated that the Adeleke administration strictly adheres to procurement regulations and ensures all government projects deliver value for money.

He maintained that projects being executed with state funds are visible across Osun and are directly improving the lives of residents.

Addressing claims that Adeleke spent ₦92 billion on feeding, Rasheed strongly denied the allegation, describing it as completely unfounded.

“It is a lie from the pit of hell,” he said, adding that such accusations were either driven by mischief or a poor understanding of public finance.

He explained that government spending covers multiple ministries, departments, and sectors, making it misleading to present aggregated expenditures as though they were tied to a single budget item.

Rasheed also accused critics of resisting the administration’s local content policy, which focuses on engaging Osun-based professionals and contractors for public projects.

According to him, the government remains committed to creating opportunities for local engineers and businesses through its development initiatives.

He further insisted that ongoing and completed infrastructure projects, including roads, bridges, schools, and healthcare facilities, meet required engineering standards and reflect quality execution.

The spokesperson pointed to several completed and ongoing road expansions and bridge projects as evidence of responsible spending.

He added that state resources are being strategically deployed across major sectors such as road construction, healthcare, education, agriculture, water supply, workers’ welfare, pensions, and empowerment programmes.

The approval was granted during Tuesday’s plenary in Abuja after lawmakers considered and adopted a report presented by Abdullahi Rasheed, deputy chairman of the House Committee on Aids, Loans and Debt Management.

According to the report, the loan will be used to fund critical portions of the federal government’s flagship Sokoto-Badagry road project, a major infrastructure initiative designed to improve connectivity across several states.

Following deliberations, members of the House endorsed the borrowing plan in support of the highway’s construction.

Meanwhile, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has faulted President Tinubu’s move to seek legislative approval for the fresh external borrowing, warning against what he described as excessive dependence on loans.

Tinubu had earlier written to the Senate requesting approval for a $516.3 million syndicated loan from Deutsche Bank AG.

The facility, which is supported by a partial risk guarantee from the Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit, is expected to finance the ambitious superhighway project.

In addition to the external loan, the Federal Government is also expected to provide more than ₦265.5 billion as counterpart funding for land acquisition, compensation, and related infrastructure needs.

The proposed 1,000-kilometre Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway is designed to link Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Oyo, Ogun, and Lagos states, creating a major economic corridor stretching from Illela to Badagry.