Uni life: Reasons why cultism will persist in Nigerian universities

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Cultism has been a persistent issue in Nigerian universities, and despite efforts to eradicate it, the menace continues to plague these institutions. Here are seven reasons why cultism may not end in Nigerian universities:

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Cultism in Nigerian universities is deeply entrenched, with some cult groups tracing their history back to the 1950s and 1960s. According to Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, a veteran academic, “Cultism is an age-old problem that has been part of our university system for decades. It’s not something that can be solved overnight.”

Many cult members are sponsored by external godfathers who wield significant influence and power. A security expert, who preferred anonymity, noted, “These external forces often provide financial and logistical support to cult members, making it difficult for university authorities to tackle the problem.

University authorities often lack the necessary resources and political will to effectively tackle cultism. A Vice Chancellor lamented, “We have tried to address the issue, but it’s a complex problem that requires a multifaceted approach. Sometimes, we are constrained by limited resources and lack of cooperation from law enforcement agencies.”

Cult members often infiltrate and compromise security agencies, making it difficult for authorities to crack down on them. A former cult member, who has since renounced cultism, revealed, “Cult members often have informants within the security agencies, which helps them stay one step ahead of the authorities.”

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The socio-economic environment in Nigeria contributes to the persistence of cultism. Many students turn to cultism as a means of survival or to gain protection in an environment marked by insecurity. A student leader observed, “Some students join cults because they feel it’s the only way to stay safe or gain influence on campus.”

The punishment for cultism is often lenient, and cult members who are caught may be let off with light sentences or even released without charge. A lawyer who has handled cult-related cases noted, “The law is often not enforced effectively, and cult members know they can get away with their activities.”

The university community, including students, lecturers, and non-academic staff, often fail to cooperate with authorities to tackle cultism. A university administrator said, “Sometimes, we find that some members of the university community are either sympathetic to cult members or too afraid to speak out against them.”

These factors combined make it challenging to eradicate cultism from Nigerian universities. Until these underlying issues are addressed, cultism is likely to persist. As Prof. Ogunyemi aptly put it, “Cultism is a hydra-headed monster that requires a sustained and collective effort to defeat.

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