INTRODUCTION

This assignment seeks to examine the topic “Eliminating Cultism In Nigerian

Universities”. First and foremost, it is important to briefly explain what the key
term used in the context which is “CULTISM” is all about. The term “cultism” is

defined as the activities or practices of a group of people with one common

spiritual, religious or philosophical belief. The group of individuals involved in

these practices is known as a cult. In general sociological studies, the term cult

has been subjected to a whole lot of controversial and divergent definitions. But

most cults are referred to as secret cults. They are called that because their

activities and practices are hidden from the public and non-members. Members

of secret cults often swear an oath of allegiance or go into covenant with each

other.

Secondly, it can also be seen as an organization of which people come together

to pledge their allegiances, under an oath and have a social bond of commitment

and dedication for the good of the organization. Their activities are kept secret-

thus the name “secret cult”, and kept away from other members of the society

or non-members of the group.

Secret cults carry out their meetings when people are not aware of, especially

during the odd-hours and far away from residences. This act is cultism and

someone who practices it is a cultist. Secret cults are rampant in schools all over

the world. It was known to be at its peak in tertiary institutions but it is no more

news that has expanded their territories to secondary and even primary schools.

This social vice is eating up the educational and moral standard of students.

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Innocent ones are being lured into the vice and other social vices such as drug

abuse, armed robbery, murder etc.

OVERVIEW OF CULTISM IN NIGERIAN UNIVERSITIES

Secret cult could therefore be defined as a set of practices, belief system or idea

whose essence is known only to the inner members and excessively admired and

defended even to the point of laying down one’s life. It is this doggedness and

strong conviction demonstrated by members that reinforce the importance of

and awe for the group especially among non-members.

Meanwhile, the history of Cultism or cult can be traced back to 1952 when the

Nobel Laurel Prize Winner, Wole Soyinka and six others, formed the Pyrate

Confraternity. It was formed by Nigeria’s only Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole

Soyinka, Aig-Imoukhuede, Pius Oleghe, Ralph Opara, Nat Oyelola and Prof.

Muyiwa Awe. Their main objectives included:

To abolish convention

To revive the age chilvary

To end tribalism and elitism

Although the philosophical foundation of this group could be appropriately

located in the tales of Treasure Island and the renaissance period of the fifteenth

century, their ideas were both patriotic and altruistic as it was not imagined as a

secret cult, but simply known as the Pyrates Confraternity or the National

Association of Seadogs. Their objectives which revolved around the maintenance

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of polite behaviour among people of different background and chivalry, portrayed

the dreams of the Founders.

Why did the students decide to form such a group? Nigeria in the 1940s and

1950s was on the verge of gaining political independence. The nationalistic

fervour in the country gave a warning signal to the colonialists that the sun was

about to set on the British empire. Trade union consciousness and militancy

soared under the leadership of Michael Imuodu. Political parties sprang up in the

major centres of the country which raised political awareness and questioned the

continued stay of the colonialists in the country. Nigerian students were not left

out of this social change. They questioned the conscription of Kings’ college

students into the colonial army to fight in the World war II and eventually

created a conducive background for the emergence of the popular National

council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (later Citizens) (NCNC). The idea of the

students was to respond to the demands of the time, enhance cultural

nationalism and fight the tribalisation of politics which was given a boost by the

Richards constitution of 1946.

It is noteworthy that the group was not to harm, maim, kill and destroy as their

cohesiveness and absolute allegiance to rules made it become an elite club, only

for the cleanest, brightest and the politically conscious. They teleguided political

events and held important positions within the student body like President, Chief

Judge, P.R.O and Secretary. Their existence was well known by students and

was not associated with weird, horrorful and spiteful character of latter-day

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confraternities. The Anti Anglo-defence pact with Britain riot and the “Ali must

go” students protest of 1978 was ably handled by members of the Pyrates

confraternity.

Various schools of thought has developed, surrounding the actual objective of

the pioneer cult group which its members claims to be void of evil and a platform

for the fight for human right and justice, however various cult groups have

emerged over the years whose activities suggest nothing but evil to the society.

Some of these cults include; Buccaneers, Black Axe, Vikings, Aro Mates, Supreme

Eiye, Black Eye, Black Beret, Black Bra, Daughters of Jezebel and so on. These

cults share some features in common which include initiation of new members,

ritual practices such as; use of blood, inscription of marks on bodies of new

members, use of colour and symbols, oath taking and so on.

With the constant effort of government and school authorities to put an end to

cultism, their activities remain visible. These involve frequent violent clash

among the different cult groups which always end in casualties, armed robbery,

sexual assault, drug abuse, harassment and bullying of fellow students, forceful

intimidation of lecturers for grades, examination malpractices, vandalization etc.

The problems associated with cultism cannot be overemphasized. What really is

the cause or causes of cultism? Why have efforts by government, school

authorities, community leaders and even religious bodies proved less effective in

curbing the societal ill?

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REASONS FOR BELONGING TO CULT

Below are the major reasons why students join cultism in the Nigerian

universities:

Quest For Power and Revenge: Many youths or students become members

of secret cults because of the thirst for power and authority. This is common

among those with the aim of fighting for their rights. In Nigeria schools, the main

reason why people become cultist is to fight those who oppress them, the

wicked lecturer, school authorities and the opposite cult members. No wonder,

the countless cases of murder, bloodshed, revenge in schools with high cultism

rate.

Popularity and Wealth: Some youths are found in this group so as to become

known, dreaded and wealthy. The cult members are believed to have rich and

influential sponsors. Becoming a member serves as a bonus to meet the rich

people in the country and also to become rich.

Poor Parental Training: Poor parental training has lead to cultism among

students. Some join cult in secondary school or tertiary institution because they

lack adequate home training. The contemporary parenthood to an extent is a

deviation from what it out to be. With demanding economic challenges on daily

basis, the pursuit for career or money is inevitable. Of course to make a means

of livelihood for the family, some parents give more time to business and work

than their children. That explains the reason why a secondary school student,

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still under the roof of the parents, can join a cult and the both parents will have

no idea about it.

Failure of some parents to inculcate moral values and discipline in their children

has resulted in moral bankruptcy among young people. As unfortunate as it is,

they do not give quality attention to their children’s moral development which

requires time and keen attention. The present day’s parenthood suffers a bridge

of communication and intimacy between parents and their children.

Communication and closeness are two inseparable factors that can foster

effective parenthood. Where such is lacking, inculcating moral values may be

frustrating, or even if done, will be a momentary compliance born out of fear.

When such a child leaves home to school or lives in the campus, compromise

becomes a freedom to choice of lifestyle.

Peer Group Influence: Peer Group Influence is another major cause of cultism

peculiar to young people. This is often seen in universities and secondary schools

were students socialize more with each other. Through this process of

interaction, both positive and negative influences are bound to happen. Most

students from good family background end up joining cult as a result of wrong

friends and association.

To such students, joining cult was never their intention before they entered the

university, but due to negative influence of friends, they ended up becoming cult

members. Influence goes a long way in changing both mindset and behavioral

pattern of individuals. At the long run, such individuals become addicted to

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habits like drug abuse, clubbing or gambling which make it difficult for them to

break away from the circle of friends.

To such individuals, breaking away from cultism becomes difficult as a result of

threats received from the cult members. Some people who were lured into cult

by their friends find it difficult denouncing their membership because of fear of

being killed by the leadership.

Revenge: Furthermore, people seek revenge through cultism. For some men

and women who are victims of harassment, assault, bullying or a painful past,

cultism gives them a platform to swiftly take their own pound of flesh. This is

because the team work assistance form cult members, makes such a mission

possible. The assistance with charms, weapons and human personal can make

revenge an easy task.

Also cultism gives members a high morale to do the unimaginable. Through the

initiation process, the member develops tough skin and meanness to life and

circumstances. The use of drugs which is very common in cult can also transform

a weakling to a brutal assassin within few weeks.

Emotional Instability: Emotional instability can also lure someone into cultism.

Individuals who face emotional challenges like depression and melancholy can

find solace in cultism. This is because of the brotherhood nature of cult. Within

the group the individual suffering from such disorder finds a new circle of

friends, a family that literally protects and looks out for him or her. Such feeling

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gives the comfort and eases loneliness. Through the interaction of co-members,

the individual gets involved in drug, gambling, alcohol, partying and sexual

adventures thereby finding a sense of peace and happiness with him and the

environment.

Loneliness: Loneliness also can lead to cultism. Just like depression finds solace

in adventure, so also loneliness can take succor in the company of friends.

Friends have great influence over each other just like influence among peers.

Unfortunately as it may be, most people are victims of such circumstances, they

end up finding themselves in the company of cult members as friends who do

not just offer them friendship but also lures them into cultism.

EFFECTS OF CULTISM ON EDUCATION AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE

OF STUDENTS

Disruption of Academic Calendar

An institution with high cultism rate will always be closed down because of the

frequent fights, clashes, unrest, and bloodshed. The school authority will be

forced to close down the school and students will not have a choice but to flee

for their lives and safety. A school can be closed for days, months and even

years. Students are prone to spend more years in school. This is a serious effect

of cultism.

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Loss of Lives and Properties

There is an adage that says “when two elephant fight, the grass suffers”. When

a crisis associated with cultism arises, properties, lives of victims and innocent

people will be lost. Cultists are known to be violent, merciless and always high on

drugs. When they fight against the school authorities, buildings,

structures, equipment, and properties may be burnt or destroyed. Life and

property loss is a serious effect of cultism on the society.

Fall in Education Standard and Academic Performance

Frequent closure of schools, damages of properties, loss of lives and all other

consequences associated with cultism result to the fall in education standard in

Nigeria. Parents will find it hard to send their wards to such schools; good and

experienced lecturers will prefer to be transferred to another school where their

safety will be secured.

Fear and Insecurity

Students and youths will always be in fear in schools with this menace. They will

not be totally focused on their studies as they will not have peace of mind.

Students will always be cautioned and will restrict their movement so as not to

fall victims of rape, assaults, and death.

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WAYS OF ELIMINATING CULTISM IN NIGERIAN UNIVERSITIES

DISCIPLINE: Parents should enforce discipline on their children. They adopt

good parenting styles, have time for their children, visit them at schools and
monitor their children. Also, parents should live exemplary lives and desists from
secret organizations. School authorities should have high discipline and have
stringent punishment for cultism, this will serve as a solution to cultism as a
whole.

PUBLIC CAMPAIGNS AGAINST CULTISM: Schools, religious houses,

parents, students, government, non-governmental organizations and the society
as a whole should as a solution wage war against cultism through seminars,
workshops, campaigns and talks.

GUIDANCE AND COUNSELING UNITS: Guidance and counseling units in our

institutions should be strengthened and the students encouraged to attending
counseling sessions. There should be a cordial relationship between this unit and
students.

REGULAR MONITORING OF ALL REGISTERED CLUBS AND

ASSOCIATIONS: There should be a regular monitoring of all registered clubs
and associations. Our research has revealed that a lot of cult groups operate
under the guise of registered social clubs on campus. The parameters for
monitoring should include time of meetings. Groups that usually meet later than
7.00pm should be monitored, as this could be suspicious in motives. Composition
of membership of these clubs should be observed and checked.

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CONCLUSION

In conclusion, cultism is an act of experiencing of religious practice. Cultists

usually share the common ideas and cause. They are unknown to the public and

some true intentions of cult leaders are unknown for the members. Oxford

Avance Learners dictionary propose another cultism definition as a ritual practice

that involved into the group of people, their policies, rituals and admission are

kept secret from the general public.

Cultism in Nigeria may be managed and controlled using several measures,

which include addressing the physical, psychological and social needs of children

at home, incorporating education on cultism in higher education courses and

setting rules and regulations to impose penalties for acts of cultism. Cultism is

considered a social crime, and often results in serious injury or death to other

humans or animals. Although it poses a risk to members of society and is

particularly problematic among Nigerian colleges and universities, there are

several methods and techniques that may help prevent the spread of cultism.

Cultism in Nigeria is similar to initiation rituals such as hazing in the United

States. While hazing primarily involves testing candidates to determine whether

or not they can become part of a certain social group or sports team, acts of

cultism stem from religious beliefs. Although members of cults may not ascribe

to any particular religion, they generally have faith in certain religious figures,

and adopt religious rites and rituals into their activities. Some cults are larger and

more established than others and pose a risk to a larger segment of the

population.

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REFERENCES

Cacioppo (2016). Attitudes and Persuasion: Classic and Contemporary

Approaches. Westview Press. p. 139

Charles (2014). Social Groups in Action and Interaction. Psychology Press.

pp. 42–43: "When Prophecy Fails".

Evans O. (2006). Sociology: Exploring the Architecture of Everyday Life. Pine

Forge Press. p. 86.

James T. (2013). "Definitions of Cult: From Sociological-Technical to Popular-

Negative". Review of Religious Research. Religious Research Association,
Inc. 34 (4): 348–56.

Paul J. (2006). "The Public Perception of 'Cults' and 'New Religious Movements'."
Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion 45 (1): 97–106.

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