(a) To serve as an avenue for discussing common or unique problems relating but not limited to inter-University cooperation, maintenance of academic standards, staff recruitment and student affairs, international cooperation, general university development and matters related thereto.
(b) To serve as a forum through which the opinion of State universities can be expressed on matters concerning education in the country, as well as providing members an opportunity for formulating action-plans on any national issues to be communicated to Government at Federal and State levels.
(c) To collect, classify and disseminate information on higher education and carry out research.
(d) To encourage and empower members of COPSUN to address developmental challenges and become an effective voice in national, regional and global matters.
(e) To contribute to the improvement of leadership, institutional management and the policy environment of university education in Nigeria.
(f) To provide advisory, mediatory, and reconciliatory services to its members.
(g) To organise, encourage and support public fora for information dissemination and exchange and policy dialogue on issues of higher education in Nigeria.
(h) To promote gender and social equity in policies on higher education and in the delivery of higher education services.
(i) To promote linkages with the international higher education community, private Industries and Local and International development partners.
(j) To support and facilitate the maintenance of the highest standard of education in State-owned Nigerian Universities.
(k) To promote optimal governance practices to ensure effective and uninterrupted delivery of high-quality tertiary education and other services in the State-owned Universities and devise and promote a peer-review mechanism.
(l) To promote unity and cooperation among State-owned universities.
(m) To do any such thing deemed proper and legal for the advancement of COPSUN.