Eradication of campus cultism: a giant stride toward restoration of confidence in tertiary education in Nigeria

Abstract

One of the main vices making living on the campuses of tertiary institutions in Nigeria a nightmare is the menace of cultism. Like a hydra-headed problem that it is, attempts to eradicate cultism in institutions of higher learning have often been frustrated as the problem gets compounded by the day. This has prompted worries, especially among parents and many stakeholders in the educational sector. In view of this, this paper focuses on campus cult and proposed that its eradication will lead to a restoration of confidence in education in Nigeria. The paper started by looking at the meaning of cultism, the history of campus cult, psychological assumptions for joining cult gang, depicting characteristics of cult groups, the menace of cult activities and their implications on the education sector. The paper concludes by suggesting ways of eradicating cultism, implicating the roles of parents, school authority, government, religious organization and the family.

African Journal for the Psychological Study of Social Issues Vol. 9(1) 2006: 107-119