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IJEDST (2015), 3(1):1-7

Salvaging Educational System of Nigeria from the Menace of Cultism:
The Way Forward
Ige Akindele Matthew
Deputy Director, Ministry of Education, Akure, Ondo State, NIGERIA
[email protected]

ABSTRACT
In the world of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), the word ‘virus’ is ubiquitous. Virus is noted for destroying the
computer system that harbours it and can destroy the system completely if not quickly removed from it. As applicable in computer
system, cultism is a dreaded virus in Nigeria’s educational system, having defiled various attempts to remove it from the system.
Due to the prevailing cult cases, the death of students, as well as the damage to properties through it, educational institutions in
Nigeria have graduated from being centres of academic excellence to centres of wailing. The glory of educational system in Nigeria
is fast slain on the high places due to cultism. How then are the mighty fallen. In this paper, the issue of cultism in Nigeria’s
educational system is examined, from the perspectives of its origin, factors influencing it, effects in the system, and the country as a
whole. Orientation of students of educational institutions, proper moral training of children by parents, improved funding of
education by government, among other measures, are recommended for cultism to be removed completely from the educational
system of Nigeria.
Keywords: Salvage, education, system, educational system, menace, cultism, virus, Nigeria, way forward

INTRODUCTION deliberately transmit its cultural heritage from one

Education is ‘an instrument par excellence for generation to another. Farrant (1964), cited in [10],
effecting national development’ [1]. In Nigeria, Its defines it as the process of learning to live as a useful
provision for the citizenry has been a matter of and acceptable member of the community to which
priority for governments which is based on the desire one belongs. R.S Peters (1969), also cited in [10], also
to achieve two main objectives including qualitative defines it as all-round development of a person (i.e.
academic and character training. It is expected that the physically, intellectually, morally and spiritually)
outputs of educational system should be of good while [11] posited that it is the social mechanism
quality, to be able to compete with the colleagues at which is designed to bring about in the persons that
national and international levels. They should also be submitted to it, certain skills and attitudes that are
morally upright and good citizens in the society. judged useful and desirable in the society. From
Unfortunately, achievement of these two objectives in whichever perspective education is viewed, there is
Nigeria leaves much to be desired. Outputs of the basic fact through it, knowledge, skills, attitudes,
educational institutions in Nigeria are now of low values can be acquired by an individual, which can be
quality [2, 3, 4, 5] while indiscipline among the pupils applied to improve the situation in the
and students is now an issue of concern to the community/society.
education stakeholders [6, 7]. At present, student
unrest, truancy, cultism, examination malpractice, SCOPE AND PURPOSES OF EDUCATION, IN
drug abuse, among other misdemeanors, abounds in NIGERIA’S CONTEXT
educational institutions in Nigeria, which are having Education can be informal, non-formal or formal in
negative effects on the system. nature. Informal education is organised at individual,
family or community level. According to [12], it does
MEANING OF THE CONCEPT ‘EDUCATION’ not involve the curriculum, formal teaching and
The word ‘education’ is derived from the Greek word learning. Non-formal education consists of functional
’educare’ which means ‘knowledge’. [8] defines literacy, remedial, and continuing education outside
‘knowledge’ as ‘understanding or familiarity gained the formal school system. It is the out- of- school
by experience’. A school of thought however believes education with no defined age group, rules and
that education concerns only reading and writing. regulations, syllabus, certified public examination and
Those in favour of this submission, are arguing that an regular certificate, which are peculiar to the formal
individual is educated when he/she can read, write, education [12]. Formal education is the most
and able to communicate effectively in the society. organized form of education which can be acquired in
Another school of thought is of the opinion that educational institutions at primary, secondary or
education is synonymous to the display of civilized tertiary level. Such education is characterised by
behaviours at home and in the public. An individual is pupils/students of defined age limits, rules and
thus regarded as educated when he/she displays regulations, classroom’s teaching, assessment of
civilize/good behaviors at home and in the public. A pupils /students, as well as the award of certificate at
lot of definitions of education abound in books, the end of training.
journals, and other periodicals. According to [9],
education is the process by which society, through In Nigeria, primary education is meant for children of
schools, colleges, universities, and other institutions between the age of six and eleven years plus, while
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secondary education is for children of the minimum of those who are not members’.[18]. Notwithstanding
age of 12 years [1]. Primary education can be acquired the divergent opinions in the definitions of cult in
in primary while secondary education can be acquired literature, cult can be described as a group of
in secondary school. As also indicated in [1], individuals (referred to as cultists) that share common
secondary education is divided into three years of beliefs, ideas, and whose activities are held in secret
Junior Secondary (JS) and three years of Senior and guided by strict adherence to the established
Secondary (SS) Education, which constitutes basic norms.
education. Tertiary education is the climax of the
education ladder which is aimed at enriching the Reports [19, 20] indicate that the menace ‘cultism’ is
knowledge and skills of individual beyond the level over five decades old in Nigeria. It started in 1952
attained at primary and secondary levels. It can be when National Association of Sea Dogs (Pyrate
acquired in universities, polytechnics, monotechnics, Confraternity) was established at University College,
colleges of education, school of nursing, health Ibadan (now University of Ibadan). This was then an
technology, midwifery and others of higher status than association that was aimed at correcting the ills in the
the secondary [1]. society and in the university particularly. According to
[21, 19], the motives of establishing Sea Dogs were:
Education in Nigeria, supposes to: fighting non-violently but intellectually against
-. inculcate national consciousness and national imposition of foreign conventions; reviving the age of
unity; chivalry, and finding solution to the problems of
- inculcate the right type of values and tribalism and election in the country. Their activities
attitudes for the survival of individual and the were then noble and non-violent and intended to
society; produce future leaders who will be proud of African
- train the mind in the understanding of the heritage, abolish and fight tribalism, colonial
world around; and mentality and oppression of the masses. Members of
- enable a child acquire appropriate skills, Sea Dogs were also fond of carrying out humanitarian
abilities and competences both mental and services like donating blood to accident victims and
physical as equipment to live in and those in dire need of it in hospitals.
contribute to the development of the society
[1]. Towards the end of 1960, the initial orientation and
focus of Sea Dogs metamorphosed to criminal, illicit
MEANING OF CULTISM, ITS ORIGIN AND and clandestine activities thus changing it to what is
GROWTH, IN NIGERIA’S CONTEXT now regarded as ‘secret cult’. Many secret cults have
The word ‘cultism’ is derived from another word since then emerged in tertiary institutions in Nigeria.
‘cult’. ‘Cult; however takes its root from the Latin In 1966 specifically, the Buccaneers emerged from the
word ‘cultus’, which means ‘adoration’. [13] defines Sea Dogs due to the inability to meet the high
cult as ‘… a sect, a great often excessive admiration academic standard set by Confraternity, as well as the
for a person or idea, the person or idea giving rise to struggle for positions and other doctrinal desires. In
such admiration, a fad’. According to [14], it is a 1968, the Vickings, Mafia, Dragons, Black Beret, and
system of beliefs, binding people of the same interest others emerged. In 1977, the Neo Black Movement of
together, for the purpose of promoting and defending Africa (Black Axe) was established. Reports [15, 20,
a common pursuit’. Richard Flagget, cited in [15] also 22] indicate that three are now over 40 different secret
defines it as a group of individuals, who share beliefs cults in tertiary institutions in Nigeria, including the
that are shrouded in secrecy, pursued under serious Pyrates Confraternity, Marphites, Barracudas, Black
cloak of secrecy, expressed in rituals only known to Cats, Black Berets, Amazons, Black Axe, Eiye
members and protected jealously by members even at Confraternity, Ostrich, Flamingo, Nightingale,
the risk of grave bodily danger’. In line with this is a Buccaneer, Axemmen, Ibaka, Woodpecker, Parrot,
definition by [16] that it is an organization whose Eden, Frigales, Daughters of Jezebel, White Angels,
activities are kept away from the knowledge of others. and Blue Queens.
Such activities, according to [17] are covert,
disguised, and usually carried out behind closed doors. ACTIVITIES OF CULTISTS
The word cult is also regarded as ‘secret society’ For an individual to become a member of cult group,
which is a society or association not being solely a he/she must pass through some stages and ready to
cultural or religious body that uses secret signs, oaths, abide by the rules and regulations guiding it. [15, 20,
rites or symbols, and whose meetings or other 22] share the same opinion that before an individual
activities are held in secret; whose members are under can be accepted as member of a particular cult group,
oath, obligation or other threat to promote the interest he/she must pass through the process of initiation and
of members or add one another under all oath taking. Initiation involves indoctrination,
circumstances without due regard to merit, fair play or orientation, rituals and rites, which an intending
justice, to the detriment of the legitimate expectation member must undergo, to be able to align with other
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members. It is done in secret and in some cases children these days do carry sophisticated guns and
involves drinking of blood or concoction and making weapons of their parents to institutions and using
mark on the body of such intending member, which these to intimidate their colleagues anytime there is
can be used to recognize him/her among others in the conflict between them. Among the Yoruba’s in the
future. According to [20], at times, intending member Southwest of Nigeria, report [25] indicates that there
will be given difficult and wicked assignment(s) to is ‘Ogboni secret cult’ while among the Efiks of the
carry out such as the killing of member of a rival cult Southeast, there is ‘Ekpe cult’. In the Delta region,
group or other individual, which such group is having ‘Ekime cult” exists while among the Edos of the
an axe to grind with; raping and destroying properties Midwest, there is ‘Owegbe cult’. These are few out of
and his acceptance depends on the success attained in the secret cults in the society whose members are
the heinous assignments. The next stage after mostly adults. Many parents derive joy in being
initiation is the administration of oaths on the members of these cults, to boost their status as well as
intending member, thus marking his/her final ensuring their economic, social and political security
acceptance and readiness to conform to the rules and [20]. Some parents also enlist in cults to protect their
regulations guiding such cult group. children from the attack of spiritual forces. After the
death of the head of family, who is a member of cult,
WHY CULTISM IS PREVALENT IN it is a norm in Nigeria that he must replace himself
TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS/EDUCATIONAL with the eldest male child in the family, to ensure
SYSTEM IN NIGERIA continuity. Many children are thus unwillingly
Many factors can be attributed to the prevalence of enlisted into cult in Nigeria by their parents. Any male
cultism in tertiary institutions in Nigeria. [23] child that refuses to join such cult is usually
identified peer influence, parental background, threatened with untimely death and if lucky to escape
societal decadence, erosion of education standard, death, will face misfortunes, which will make him to
militarization of Nigerian polity, lack of recreational be unsuccessful in life. Children who are cultists in
facilities, quest for power and protection, lack of the society by virtue of their inheritance are fond of
student union in campuses, erosion of traditional transferring their membership and experience to their
academic culture, as factors playing prominent role. respective educational institutions. Institutional cult is
Eneji (1996), cited in [23] opined that some students thus a transfer of societal cult in Nigeria. To worsen
do join cult in order to have a sense of belonging and situation, many children of powerful and influential
be well connected in the campuses. [20] also observed politicians, including ministers, governors, state and
that some students do join the menace because of the national assemblymen, are members of secret cults in
need for financial assistance, desire to secure girl Nigeria. Even if caught in the act, these wealthy and
friends or protect themselves in campuses. In the view influential parents are fond of using their influence to
of [16], some students used to be attracted to cult secure the release of their children and enroll them in
because of the need for money, direction, comfort, and foreign institutions to prove their wealth and
love. As far as [24] is concerned, youths join cult connection, as well as provide uninterrupted education
because it provides members with security, licenses to for them. Presently, there is no stiff penalty for cultists
do anything and get away with it and seek vengeance. in Nigeria. Apart from the few cases being announced
From the factors highlighted by authors, it implies that in media (Newspaper, Radio and Television), many
all the stakeholders in education, such as parents, cult cases die naturally due to the connivance of
society, educational institutions, students, and parents of culprits with law enforcement agents and
government, play roles in the spread of the menace in the judicial system. Because of the way cult cases are
Nigeria. being treated with levity in Nigeria, many youths do
indulge in it and belief that they can always have their
Parents’ Role: The primary role of parents is to ways at the end. Cultists belief that the worst that can
provide good moral training for their children, so that happen to them is to be expelled or suspended from
they can be of good behavior and ambassadors of their their institutions where their wealthy and influential
homes in future. Many parents are however fond of parents can find alternative institutions for them,
abdicating their roles thus making their children to be particularly in foreign countries. Marriage pre-
morally bankrupt in future. It is thus not surprising supposes that couple should live together
that some cultists at the point of renunciation do harmoniously till when death will separate them.
attribute their memberships to over pampering by their When there is conflict at home, to the extent that
parents when they were at tender age. There are some couples are separated, the children will be separated
parents who are so carefree to the extent that they from their parents thus making them to suffer
don’t border to monitor their children’ activities at inadequate parental control and moral training. The
home and in educational institutions. It is the belief of dejected children are thus most likely to join secret
this kind of parents that teachers/lecturers should do cult in educational institution to cope with loneliness
everything for their children including teaching and and frustration.
character training. It is not surprising that some
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Society’s Role: in Nigeria, crime inclined films, the ugly situation in their campuses.
involving the use of sophisticated guns and dangerous
weapons, are being sold in the open market and shown Government’s Role: Availability of classrooms,
on television, video, and even in cinema houses. Many laboratories, workshops, office space, library and
youths also visit cyber café to watch the unlawful and other specialized rooms are required for impartation of
immoral films on the internet. These have been knowledge to students while adequate hostel spaces
encouraging them to master the pedagogy of crime are needed for habitation [29]. Over the years,
and enlist in cult in their respective institutions where inadequacy of infrastructural facilities has been a
they can practicalise what they watched on the screen. feature of educational system in Nigeria [2, 3, 27, 29].
It is now obvious that the issue of unemployment has In many institutions in Nigeria, classrooms are
reached a disturbing level in Nigeria [26, 27]. Many inadequate for students, which are in several
graduates of educational institutions now roam the thousands. Many students are fond of receiving
streets in search for jobs but few are always lucky to lectures on their feet outside classrooms rather than on
be recruited by employers. Many students of tertiary their seats. Some students must run to secure seats and
institutions, for fear of graduating into the turgid space when it is time for lecture due to the limited
labour market, do join secret cult, to protest the chairs and space in the lecture rooms. Libraries, which
hopeless and depressing situation in the country and are central to students’ self-study and learning, are
postpone their graduation, to keep them busy in the consulting centres due to lack of modern textbooks,
campuses. There is no doubt that the society is now journals and periodicals. Many students are now fond
materialistic. Wealth making now takes priority over of reading at home and in classroom thus making such
education and hard work. The wealthy individuals in students to lack library etiquette. Hostel
the society are celebrated, notwithstanding the source accommodations are also grossly inadequate for those
of their wealth. There is now ‘get rich quick that are willing to stay on campus thus giving room
syndrome’ among the youths in Nigeria. Many youths for squatting and accommodation racketeering in
now talk about making money at tender age and prefer campuses. Report in [30] indicates that in a particular
to engage in crime, particularly cultism in tertiary university in Nigeria, a bed space was sold for
institutions, to achieve their goals. between ten thousand naira (N10, 000) and thirty
thousand naira (N30, 000) (Nigerian currency) by
Parlous State of the Economy: It is not a gainsaying students who were ‘accommodation merchants’. The
that poverty is endemic in Nigeria. Many families live stress being experienced by many students to get to
below standard, due to high cost of living, occasioned and from off campus residence daily, now add to the
by the country’s poor economy. Some students stress of learning in higher institutions. Many of the
indulge in cultism, to create opportunities for them to available infrastructural facilities in higher institutions
steal and carry out robbery operations within and are aged and in deplorable condition. The state of
outside campuses and thus be able to keep their bodies laboratories in higher institutions, also leave much to
and souls together. be desired. Array of expired reagents, obsolete, dusty
and non-functional equipment abound in the
Educational Institutions’ Role: The attitudes of laboratories of many higher institutions today. Theory
teachers/lecturers in educational institutions in Nigeria of practical has replaced real practical in the
these days leave much to be desired. Campuses are laboratory thus making many science and technology
now turgid of lazy and businessmen misnamed students to graduate without adequate exposure to
lecturers who take teaching as secondary job. Some practical training [31]. All these disturbing situations
male lecturers are also fond of victimizing male do make some students to enlist in secret cults.
students who share female students with them. Many
male students do enlist in cult to protect lecturers’ Pupils/Students’ Role: Many cultists are fond of
inactivity in campus and protect their female partners acting under the influence of drugs to commit crime.
from lecturers’ oppression. Report [28] indicates that In the campuses, dangerous drugs like cocaine, Indian
some lecturers are members of secret cults in Nigeria, hemps, heroine among others are consumed by cultists
where they either serve as ‘god fathers’ or ‘patrons’. so as to give them the boldness to carry out their
The level of sexual harassment of female students by wicked activities. Many students also enlist in cult for
lecturers in higher institutions according to him, has self protection against the attack of members of
reached a disturbing level. Many female students are another cult groups. Some students do join cult to
thus fond of enlisting in secret cults to protect settle score with colleagues, particularly those they are
themselves from lecturers’ oppression. Attitudes of having an axe to grind with in campuses. The
educational institutions’ administrators towards influence of peer on a child’s attitude cannot be
governance also promote cultism. In some cases, overemphasized. There are situations when innocent
student unionism will be banned in campuses while in students will be lured into joining cult by their
those institutions where it exists, their activities are colleagues. Those that feel indisposed to it will be
restricted. Many students thus enlist in cult to protest threatened and even murdered. A cultist at the point of
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renunciation confesses: during examination and threaten innocent lecturers
…Prior to my decision to join the Neo Black who dare attempt to apprehend them. They often carry
Movement (NBM), there was another fellow fire arms, daggers, axes and knives. Through the
in my secondary school days whom I met in violent cult cases in educational institutions, many
the university. He was a member of Pyrates students who could have been useful to the nation and
Confraternity, an Ahoi’. He talked of families have lost their lives while many have been
belonging to a cult, which houses men of registered among the physically challenged in the
timber and caliber in our larger society. society. Table 1 show some of the past cult cases in
‘Korofo’ has got me. Nigeria and effects.

Some students are fond of joining cult to boost their Many valuable properties of educational institutions,
ego in campuses. These students do count it as government and individuals in the society had been
opportunity to showcase themselves among their destroyed by cultists in Nigeria. Many suspected and
colleagues in campuses. accused cultists had also in the past been rusticated or
expelled from their institutions. Report [33] indicates
EFFECTS OF CULTISM IN NIGERIA’S that eighteen (32) students of Ogun State University,
EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM Ago Iwoye were suspended while ninety (90) students
Cultism is now a serious and dreaded virus in of Edo State University (now Ambrose Alli
Nigerian education system. Without mincing words, University) were rusticated over alleged involvement
the joy of being student of educational institution in in secret cult activities. Apart from constituting
Nigeria in the past is now being replaced with the fear wastage of government’s and parents’ resources, it
of being killed by bullet due to the activities of increases the level of unemployment and crime in the
cultists. [32] lamented that higher education in Nigeria country because many out of these expelled cult
is now under siege, bombardment and almost ruined members constitute dropouts who by virtue of their
by secret cults. Majority of students, lecturers and incomplete education always prove difficult to be
their families now live in perpetual fear. Under the recruited by employers of labour. Many thus end up as
cover of darkness, the cultists torture, rape, kidnap, armed robbers, militants, area boys and political thugs
rob and maim anybody in the campus who dare cross in the society.
their way. They are also fond of cheating openly

Table 1: Cases of Cultism in Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria and Effects

Year Institution Effects
1991 University of Benin A student of the university received 22 matchet cuts
1992 Federal Polytechnic, Oko Six students of the polytechnic were murdered
Auchi Polytechnic, Edo state Two students were murdered
1993 University of Port Harcourt Fifteen students were jailed for terms varying from five to thirty years.
Enugu State University of Death of a part five medical student
Techn
ology
University of Benin A final year student of industrial chemistry was murdered.
1994 University of Ado Ekiti Death of two students
1996 University of Portharcourt A student of the University was beheaded.
1997 University of Benin Secretary General of the Students' Union was killed.
Institute of Management Head of Department of the Institute was murdered
Technology, Enugu
Ondo State University Ado A final year Banking and Finance student of the university was
Ekiti murdered.
1999 Obafemi Awolowo University, Seven undergraduates of the university were murdered.
Ile-Ife
University of Ibadan The Chief Security Officer was murdered.

2003 Edo State A house within the city was set ablaze after ransacking it.
2002 University of Jos Two undergraduates of the university were shot dead.
University of Ado Ekiti, Ekiti A 300 level Economics student was shot and slaughtered.
State
2005 College of Education, A student was beheaded.
Ekiadolor, Benin
Delta State University Massive destruction of parts of the campus, burning of Vice
Chancellor’s lodge as well as the Department of Linguistic building.
Source: Compiled by Author

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Some cultists do graduate to become notorious Institutions’ administrators should continue to
criminals in the society. Presently, cases of armed promote peace in their respective institutions. They
robberies and kidnapping are rampant in Nigeria. The should ensure that there is regular communication
case of Niger Delta militancy that has within the last between them and students to prevent the
decade become a nightmare in Nigeria leaves much to development of rumour, which can lead to crisis. They
be desired. Militancy is now a money- making should also enforce discipline among
venture in Nigeria. Many wealthy citizens including teachers/lecturers in their domains. Cases of sexual
foreign expatriates at oil companies are now being harassment of female students and involvement of
kidnapped and forced to part with huge sum of money teachers/lecturers in cultism should always be
as a condition for their release. Many of these youths investigated while those found culpable should be
are members of secret cult in campuses, having reprimanded. Orientation, guidance and counseling
graduated into the society to become notorious programmes should be organized for pupils and
criminals. Over the years, governments have been students by institutions’ administrators to discourage
spending money on how to curb cultism in the pupils and students from enlisting in cult.
campuses. Workshops, Seminars and conferences on
how to eradicate the menace are being organized Renunciation forums should be organized in
while institutions’ administrators often go to the educational institutions and supported by government.
extent of organizing forum for renunciation of cultists Institutions’ administrators should promote academic
in their domains. All these programmes require huge excellence in their institutions and provide
sum of money, which supposed to be utilized for the recreational activities for pupils and students to keep
development of institutions. In Nigeria, violent and them busy in the institutions. Student unionism should
bloody cult clashes often lead to closure of institutions be encouraged particularly at higher level while
and disruption of academic calendar where students victimization of union executives by administrators
often suffer due to compression of academic calendar and government should be discouraged. Parents
that follow. should give proper moral training to their children so
that they can be good ambassadors of their homes in
Educational system in Nigeria is now under serious the future. Sale of crime films and showing these on
criticisms, particularly at international level. One television screen and cinema houses including the
argument against it is the prevalence of cultism in internet should be banned by government.
educational institutions. Presently, if there any issue
that has earned education a negative image in Nigeria, During admission process, it has becomes imperative
it is no one than cultism. It is now a monster in for interview of prospective candidates for admission
campuses just like the Acquired Immune Deficiency into the various higher institutions. Through this, it
Syndrome (AIDS) that is now spreading like will be possible to select only the best candidates in
‘harmattan fire’ and defiling all forms of cure. terms of academic and behavioural traits.
Unfortunately, higher institutions in Nigeria are now
centres of wailing where parents need to pray before SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
releasing their children for training. Just like the case of Acquired Immune Deficiency
Syndrome (AIDS) that is currently ravaging many
REMOVING CULT VIRUS FROM NIGERIA’S people in the world and attracting the attention of
EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM: THE WAY world leaders, the issue of cultism is attracting
FORWARD education stakeholders’ attention in Nigeria. Many
In view of the prevalence of cultism and the extent to students are dying daily while properties worth
which it had gone to affect the image of education in colossal sum of money are destroyed through this
Nigeria, it needs not be overstressed that the menace menace. The standard of education is now adjudged to
needs adequate attention and should be eradicated in be falling in Nigeria [2, 4, 3]. One of the factors being
Nigeria if the lost glory of the education system is to attributed to this is the incessant cult cases, which are
be redeemed. To eradicate cultism in the system disrupting academic calendar in educational
however calls for the involvement of all the education institutions in the country. In this paper, what cult and
stakeholders including government, parents and cultism means and its origin were discussed. The
guardians, institutions’ administrators, education scope and objectives of education in Nigeria were
planners and policy makers among others. There further highlighted. Factors such as lack of parental
should therefore be public enlightenment campaign on control, peer and drug influence on students,
the issue, to increase the awareness of students and prevalence of crime inclined films in the society
parents. Seminars, workshops, symposium and public among others, which are influencing cultism, were
lecture, cultism should be organized regularly for also discussed.
students where the dangers involved in cultism will be
discussed.

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[18] Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999). Constitution of
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