Cultism in Nigerian Education System: Factors Driving Student Participation

Justina Lere Charles

doi:10.56201/ijee.v11.no.4.2025.pg126.136

📄 Download Paper

Cultism in Nigerian Education System: Factors Driving Student Participation

Justina Lere Charles

Abstract

Cultism has become one of the most pressing social vices undermining the stability of the Nigerian educational system. Cultism has emerged as a destructive force within Nigerian society, posing grave threats to educational advancement, moral development, and national stability. Once confined to secret gatherings, cult activities have spread into schools and colleges, disrupting learning environments and endangering the lives of students and educators alike. This paper examines the concept of cultism, identifying it as a secretive association whose activities often involve intimidation, violence, and moral corruption. It examines the different kinds of cults operating within Nigerian schools and colleges, highlighting how their existence negatively affects academic environments, student welfare, and societal values. Attention is given to the reasons why young people engage in cult activities, ranging from peer pressure and the desire for protection to the pursuit of social status and power. The study also investigates underlying factors such as poor parental upbringing, weak school administration, societal decay, and the influence of the media in promoting cult-related behaviours. Findings reveal that cultism in schools not only threatens academic excellence but also erodes discipline, instils fear, and breeds insecurity among staff and students. The paper concludes that urgent and collective measures are needed to curb this menace, and it recommends proactive interventions by parents, educators, government, and religious bodies to redirect youths toward positive values and constructive engagements.

Keywords

CultismEducation SystemFactorsStudent Participation

References

Asuka. T. T. (2006). Perceived influences on student's cult violence in Nigerian tertiary institutions. African Journal of Educational Studies, 4(1).37-45. Agbo, B. O. (2010 April 8). "The pyrates and campus terrorism. Nigerian Tribune. P. 6. Ajitoni, S. 0. 1, Olaniyan, O. D. (2018). Causes and panacea to problem of cultism in the Nigerian education. European Journal of Education Studies; 4, 2. 52-59. Alubo, S. (2004, February 2). Eradication of cultism in educational institutions, Newswatch p10. Alumona, J. (2000, August 3). The real secret cults. The News 3 p. 34. Asuka, T. T. (2004). Student's cult phenomenon in Nigerian schools and Universities - The social system perspective. Nigerian Journal of Research and Production; 4 (7). 48-52 Asuka, T. T. (2007). Factors militating against the eradication of student's cults in Nigerian tertiary institutions of learning as perceived by students and lecturers. African Journal of Educational Studies; 5(1), 52-58. Ayayi E. G. (2005). Educational research: Basic issues and methodology University Trust Publishers. (2nd and large edition). Busuyi, G. Olayinka, O. and Olalekan, P. (2016). Causes of social vices among undergraduates in Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado-Ekiti, Cartwright, D. and Zandre, A. (2004). Group dynamics research and theory. Evanston 111. Row Peterson.S Dondo, E. I. (2018). Cultism and the management of federal universities in the North Central Zone of Nigeria. A thesis submitted to postgraduate school, Benue State University, Makurdi in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of Doctor of Philosophy (Phd) Degree in Educational Management Ekoko, E.A. (1999 October). "Nigeria Universities at war fronts diagnosis and prognosis". Paper presented at the 1999 Annual Lecture of the University of Ibadan Alumni Association, ASAVA, Encyclopedia Americana. (1979). International edition. Danbury: Americana corporation vol. 24 & 25. Ezema, V. S, Otu, M. S and Abah, G. O. (2017).Activities of cultist and measures for eradicating cultism among secondary school students in Nigeria: implication for child development and counseling. European Journal of Social Sciences; Vol. 55 No 3, 254-261. Federal Republic of Nigeria (2013) National Policy on Education. Gabriel, A. U. (2014). Steps on research study. CCK publishing company. Herbert, W.E. (2006). “Eradication of cultism in educational institutions. A paper delivered at national conference on the eradication of secret cults, Kaduna. Igwessi, B. N. (2016). Education and sociology in Nigeria: A sociological perspective. Vinson Printing and publishers. Inaja, A. E and Okpa, U. J. (2013). Factors in school cultism: the alarm and the siren in institute of education, university of Calabar, Calabar. International Journal of Scientific & Engineering Research, Vol 4, Issue 6.s.

Cultism in Nigerian Education System: Factors Driving Student Participation

Abstract

Keywords

References

More Articles from INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EDUCATION AND EVALUATION