1. THEME: CULTISM IN HIGHER INSTITUTIONS OF LEARNING
IN NIGERIA - HISTORY, CAUSES, EFFECTS AND SOLUTION
BY
ONIKE RAHAMAN

2. INTRODUCTION
Cultism is one of the major challenges confronting the nation’s
education system. The atrocities committed on daily basis by
the cult groups is obviously beyond imagination. The menace of
cultism, indeed, has become a social problem that calls for
urgent and collective social action.
With the prevalence of secret cultism in Nigeria tertiary
institutions, one can predictably submit that except urgent
measures are taken to curb the menace, the future of this
country would be bleak for cultists are likely to end up as
armed robbers, gamblers, rapists, assassins, kidnappers and
gangsters. of course, these anti-social vices which are
associated with cultism attract various punishments or jail
terms under the Nigeria criminal code and justice
administration.

3. WHAT IS CULTISM?
Cultism can be defined as collection of people coming together
on the principle of protecting their members and defending
their interests both positively and negatively without exposing
their power base to outsiders. Membership is usually restricted
and is not publicly known.
A campus cult comprises of a group of people who gather for
the purpose of performing illegal activities and they usually
operate under the cover of darkness. The delusion often given
to lure students into mesh of cultism is that as a member you
are to gain respect and recognition. In reality, cultism exposes
one to dangers and insecurity than to offer protection.
It is true the Nigerian constitution recognises freedom of
association and assembly but this does not include membership
of secret cults/societies. The law expressly prohibits
membership of secret cults/societies.

4. For the avoidance of doubts, lawful associations, clubs or
societies are groups duly registered and recognised by the
university/college Authorities. Such clubs, associations or
groups are regarded as lawful, if members are known by public,
executive properly constituted with a list containing names of
the executive submitted to the University/College Authorities,
the objectives and goals of the group must be in furtherance of
the mission, vision and the objectives of the institution.
Recent researches have confirmed that the menace of these
cults has extended far beyond the walls of the ivory
towers/academic institutions to the larger society thereby
posing security challenges to the nation. A lot of youths with
promising future had died in contemporary Nigeria as a result
of cult classes.
Cultism promotes violent culture and it is becoming more or
less an organised crime in the contemporary Nigeria.

5. There is also a widely held belief that cult members are children of the elite
or high ranking personalities. They normally have sponsors in government
circle and among top politicians.
THE HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF CULTISM
The formation of secret societies is not a recent development in the annals
of Nigeria history. In the world history, there were secret cults that had
existed and operated in Egypt, Greece and Rome and other parts of the
world. Also, there was historical evidence that there were secret societies in
Africa before even the advent of colonialism. What is common to all cult
groups are oath of secrecy, clandestine activities and desperate pursuit of
goals and unlawful possession of dangerous weapons.
Coming to Nigeria, history traced the origin of cultism in tertiary institution
to 1952 at the then university college Ibadan when seven students acted as
the pioneers. The story of how pyrate confraternity was formed at the
University College Ibadan now university of Ibadan was confirmed and re-
authenticated by Prof. Muyiwa Awe, one of the seven pioneers of pyrate
confraternity in The Punch Newspaper of Monday , 17th May, 2004(P16).

6. As a matter of fact, pyrate confraternity which was pioneered and
promoted by Wole Soyinka, Ralph Opara, Olumuyiwa Awe, Ikphere Aig-
Imonkuede, Pius Olegbe, Nathaniel Oyelola and Ifagbale Amater was known
for intellectual approach to issues rather than violence. The pyrates of Wole
Soyinka’s days at The University of Ibadan were deeply involved in
nationalist struggle. Indeed, the aim of pyrate at the initial stage was to fight
imperialism, foster justice and to preserve Africa customs and traditions.
Shortly after independence, student confraternity become derailed from
the original path of fighting against oppression, exploitation and social
injustice.
Surprisingly, what started as intellectual platform eventually become known
and associated with violence and members were deeply involved in
drunkenness, excessive smoking, brutality, drug abuse, maiming, rape and
killing of innocent students. No responsible person will love to be associated
with cultists because of the dangers inherent in cultism.
The unpatriotic acts and social misconduct among the executive of pyrate
confraternity led Bolaji Crew, one of the leaders to move out of pyrates and
formed the Buccaneers in 1972 as a rival student confraternity.

7. Besides, Eiye confraternity also started as a mere friendship group at
Nnamdi Azikwe Hall of the University of Ibadan in 1965 and the group
transformed to Eiye confraternity after the founding members had
graduated in 1972.
As time went on, more groups began to spring up and the development
eventually led to bitter rivalry among student confraternities. Of course, this
is the beginning of cult classes, maiming and killings in tertiary institution
campuses. With the proliferation of cult groups, a lot of bad characters are
being recruited and the objectives are no longer noble.
The battle for supremacy among the cult groups and desire to dominate
each other are part of reasons why dangerous weapons are employed to
settle scores by the cult groups. Some of the weapons used by the cult
groups include gun, axe, bottles, knives, cutlasses, juju, rituals etc.

8. In the 1980s, black beret was formed in the University of Nigeria, Vikings in
the University of Port Harcourt, Mafia, black axe, Jezebel, seven stars, blood
of brotherhood, Burkinafaso etc. A recent survey on cult activities in Higher
Institutions has confirmed that about fifty (50) or more different groups of
secret societies exist in tertiary institutions in Nigeria and each with peculiar
style, recruitment policy, objectives and membership drive.
HOW CULTS RECRUIT MEMBERS
Cult groups/secret societies device various ways to recruit members to their
fold. Often, students with poor study habit, low self esteem and probably
those who are suffering from complexes either superiority or inferiority
complex easily fall prey of cult groups for recruitment.
The technique used by cult groups in recruiting members include
Toasting, Deception, Psychological manipulation, Brainwashing,
Luring, Inducement, Threats, Weakness exploitation etc.

9. ACTIVITIES OF THE CULTS
The activities of cults/ secret societies are divided into six:
(i) Toasting:- The act of searching for potential members and this
involves cajoling, luring and toasting of the new students’
(ii) Tutorial/Indoctrination:- The activity involves orientating,
indoctrinating and acculturating a would-be member of any cult
group. The tutorial is usually done by highly experienced member of a
cult group. The activity allows for inculcation of the new recruits into
the norms, values and practices of the group.
(iii) Drilling/Physical cum combatant training for members: Each cult
group do organise a kind of training similar to that of either police
or military for members to make them fit and capable of being able
to withstand torture and stress. This is usually done inside bush or
hidden locations for security reasons.
(iv) Initiation:- The activity usually comes up at least once in a year
especially at the beginning of the academic session.

10. On this particular day, new members are incorporated and integrated into
the society. Many rituals such as drinking of blood of members and other
primitive and barbaric acts are perpetrated on such occasion. Once
initiated, a new member becomes part and parcel of fraternity and it
becomes almost impossible to come out of the bondage. One fundamental
aspect of initiation is oath of secrecy, bearing absolute loyalty and
allegiance to the head of the cult etc.
(v)Regular Meeting:- Each cult group has meeting schedule usually
abbreviated as meet and officers are elected/appointed to co-ordinate the
affairs of the group. Complaints of members are addressed at meetings
while instructions are delivered to members. It is also at the meeting that
necessary arrangements are made to avenge the wrong done to any
member. Disciplinary action against members are equally enforced during
meetings. Cult groups have unique titles for their officers which are usually
derived from the origin and etymology of each confraternity .

11. (vi)Strike:- This is the most deadly of all the activities of the cults. Cult
groups usually plan properly to strike at anyone perceived as enemy and it
involves the use of dangerous weapons such as guns, axe, cutlasses,
matchet, bottles, knives etc. Whenever the cults want to strike, they first
monitor the movement of their victims very well and usually three or more
are deployed to hit (attack ) the person.
SIGNS TO IDENTIFY CULTISTS AND THEIR OPERATIONAL TACTICS
i. Colour Symbolism:- Each cult group is known for unique
colour. Members always wear clothes or cap to reflect the colour
symbol and this is one of the signs to identity the members. For
example, Eiye confraternity is associated with blue beret/clothe; Black
axe (Aye) is associated with black beret/ regalia; Bucaneers is
known for yellow colour; pyrate confraternity is associated with red
beret/regalia etc.
ii.Coded Language:- Each cult group has special coded language called
argot. It is only members that can decode the message whenever argot is
spoken by the cultists. However, one can easily identify a cultist when
he/she speaks. Also, cultists are known for expressing thoughts and ideas
using slangs and other peculiar mode of communication.

12. It has been reported in early studies that when a new recruit is initiated by
cultists, they may say he has been balm or fly depending on the cult group.
iii. Special Mode of Greeting:- Each of the secret cults has
special mode of greeting. For example, Eiye confraternity exchange
handshake by claw each other likewise other cult groups. There is an
expected response mandatory to be expressed in return of the
greeting.
iv. Body Decoration:- Cultists often do tattoo or other forms of body
decoration and a times piercing of nose in cases of female
members to give them unique outlook.
v. Cultists a times may appear to be excessively quiet and in some
instances prefer to isolate themselves from other students.
vi. Dangerous Life Style:- They smoke and drink heavily and some
times engage in drug/ substance abuse.
vii. They always move in a group of two or more for fear of being
attacked by the rival cult groups.

13. viii. Cultists also bear nicknames or usually being called by their alias
instead of the real names for security reasons.
ix. Cultists normally put on black power bangles made of
robber to show class/levels among colleagues on campus.
PREDIPOSING FACTORS TO CULTISM
i. Wrong orientation
ii. Frustration and academic failure
iii. Poor family background
iv. Influence of peer groups
v. School climate
vi. Student union politics
vii. Economic depression
viii. Quest for social relevance and love for domination
ix Freedom from home
x. Egocentrism/Complexity
xi. Desire to revenge or avenge wrong doing
xii. Poor study habit
xiii. Low Self esteem

14. EVILS AND NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF SECRET CULTS IN
HIGHER INSTITUTIONS
i. Disruption of academic calendar/ and it causes instability in
the school programmes.
ii. Poor learning outcomes
iii. Threats to lives and property on campuses
iv. Maiming and killing of innocent students
v. Negative effects on the image of the institutions.
vi. Incessant closure of institutions
vii. General Insecurity on campuses
viii. Arms proliferation/ arms struggle among students
ix. Predisposing factor to armed robbery, kidnapping, hired
assassinations etc
SOLUTIONS TO THE PROBLEMS OF CULTISM IN NIGERIA
INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING
To really address the problem of cultism, there should be
adoption of holistic approach to combat the menace of
secret cultism in Institutions of higher learning as enumerated

15. 1.With proper guidance and counselling, the cult members should feel
free to come out to renounce membership of secret cult without fear
of molestation from members of the Group.
2. Students should not be denied freedom of association and right to
unionise. Effective and functional students’ unionism is an
antidote against cultism in institutions of higher learning.
3. The authority should investigate properly and make effort to
verify claims by any Association before registering them to
operate on campus. The procedure for registration should include
submission of list of executive with passport photographs, list of
members with department and probably with matriculation number, date
and venue of meeting and there should be at least two staff advisers.
4. Any member of staff (either academic or Non-teaching )found
to engage or aid any cult group should be given appropriate
sanction depending on the level of involvement and may even be
handed over to police for necessary prosecution.

16. 5. Parents are to monitor their wards and ensure they are given right
orientation and parents are to discourage them against moving
with friends with questionable characters.
6. Authorities should support anti-cult initiatives and awareness
programmes. However, Authorities should avoid acting on fake or
falsified security reports.
7. The sales of alcoholic drinks, cigarettes and other hard drugs
should be discouraged on campuses.
8. Student Associations are to be encouraged to organise
seminars / lectures on evils of cultism.
9. Moral teachings and religious instruction should be emphasized
as parts of curriculum programmes of instruction, activity and
guidance in all tertiary institutions.
10. Any student found guilty of involving in secret cult activities
should be expelled and probably be prosecuted in the law court.

17.
11. The authorities should ensure that any unregistered
clubs/societies are not allowed to operate or utilise any of the
college facilities.
12. Government should provide recreational facilities in our
institutions so that youths could channel their energies towards
sports and recreation instead of cultism which is a bane of the
nation’s educational development
13. There is the need to develop the spiritual state of mind of
Nigeria students by encouraging spiritual activities and moral teachings
among the student associations.
14. Students should be encouraged to form vigilante groups with
proper monitoring by the Management and enabling environment
should as well be created for information gathering on cult activities in
higher institutions.

18.
15.Students’ union activities should aim at the promotion of
peace, tranquillity and social justice rather than hooliganism,
violence and disruption of the school programmes/activities.
I wish to end this presentation by saying:
Cultism is an evil thing, avoid it.
Cultism destroys, do not involve in it.
Cultism leads to academic failure, do not move near it.
Cultism leads to untimely death, never join any cult group.
I thank everybody for listening.