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Menace of Cultism in Nigerian Tertiary Institutions: The Way Out

Article in The Anthropologist · July 2010

DOI: 10.1080/09720073.2010.11891147

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© Kamla-Raj 2010 Anthropologist, 12(3): 155-160 (2010)

Menace of Cultism in Nigerian Tertiary Institutions: The Way Out

I. A. Ajayi, Haastrup T. Ekundayo and F. M. Osalusi

Department of Educational Foundations and Management, Faculty of Education, University of

Ado-Ekiti, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria
*E-mail: *[email protected], **< [email protected]>
KEYWORDS Secret Cults. Societal Decadence. Confraternity. Criminal Oriented Behaviour

ABSTRACT The paper examined the menace of secret cults in the Nigerian tertiary institutions. The origin of
cultism was traced to the Seadog confraternity (a.k.a Pyrates), founded by Wole Soyinka and six others at the
foremost University of Ibadan in 1952. The peaceful, and non-violent confraternity set up then, in the 1980s,
metamorphosed into a secret cult whose activities have been characterized by some bizarre and violent activities. It
was against this background that this paper x-rayed the possible causes and consequences of cultism in Nigerian
tertiary institutions. The major causes of cultism in tertiary institutions were influence of peer group; parental
background; societal decadence; erosion of education standards; militarization of the Nigerian polity; lack of recreational
facilities; quest for power and protection among others. However, some of the effects of cultism include loss of lives
and properties, disruption of academic activities on campuses, unsafe university environments. It was therefore
recommended that all the stakeholders in the university education system should fuse efforts to combat the menace.
It was also recommended that government should be more aggressive in her quest to eradicate cultism in the
universities.

INTRODUCTION organisation whose activities are not only exclu-

sively kept away from the knowledge of others
The most important and embarrassing but such activities are carried out at odd hours of
problem facing tertiary institutions in Nigeria the day and they often clash with the accepted
today is the menace and aggressiveness of cult norms and values of everyday life.
members and cult related activities. Never before In summary, cultism can be defined as a ritual
has the potential for destruction of lives and practice by a group of people whose membership,
property on campuses been so great or escalated admission, policy and initiation formalities as well
so fast and horrible as now. There is hardly no as their mode of operations are done in secret
academic session without reported cases of and kept secret with their activities having
cultism in most Nigerian institutions. There is no negative effects on both members and non-
single Nigerian institutions of higher learning that members alike.
has not experienced the menace of cultism for
sometime now. According to Okwu (2006), as till HISTORY OF CULTISM IN NIGERIAN
September 2003, 5,000 students and lecturers have TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS
died on Nigerian campuses as a result of cult-
related violent clashes. Cultism in Nigeria dates back to pre-
The recent destructive cult activities on cam- colonization when a group of people with the main
puses are mind-boggling, irritating and distaste- aim of seeking protection from their ancestors
ful. Lives of promising young men and women conducted rituals. Secret cults have always
have been cut short by the bloody hands of existed in many parts of the country. The Ogboni
murderous gangs on campuses. secret cult is notable among the Yorubas, Ekpe
The Oxford Concise Dictionary of Sociology secret cult among the Efiks, Ekine cult in the Delta
(1996) gives the sociological definition of cult as region and Owegbe cult among the Edos (Adelola
a small group or religious activities whose beliefs 1997). Almost everywhere in the world, different
are typically secrete, esoteric and individualistic. types of secret rituals groupings are manipulated
Lexican Webster’s Dictionary defines secret cult in the articulation of organisation functions for a
as a group of people who share a common cause variety of social and political purposes. These
and whose mode of meetings and agenda are societies differ in what is kept secret and what is
unknown to the public and where initiation into made public. In some, membership is secret, but
rank and file is usually done in secret. Ogunba- the rituals are not, while in some others, member-
meru (2004) defined secret cult as any form of ship is made public but rituals are secret.
156 I. A. AJAYI, HAASTRUP T. EKUNDAYO AND F. M. OSALUSI

According to Opaluwah (2009), one positive According to Akor (1994), one of the earliest
thing about these societies is that they do not reported secret cult violence occurred at the
harm unless provoked and they could serve as University of Nigeria, Nsukka in 1985 when a non-
an instrument for cleansing the society of any cult student incurred the wrath of another student,
cultural debris. The author argued that some even who was a cult leader for snatching the latter’s
serve as socialization groups that initiate men and girlfriend. Adewale (2005) also reported the
women into adulthood as in Poro and Mende following: in 1991 a student of University of Port-
societies in Sierra Leone and the Oviaosese in Harcourt was beheaded during a feud between
Ogoniland. cult members; at Delta State University in Abraka,
Today, cult groups in tertiary institutions are the activities of secret cult groups resulted in the
violent, maim, kill and carry out many anti-social death of a Principal Assistant Registrar and his
activities on campuses. This calls for various wife; on 5th August, 2002 a 300 level economics
efforts to outlaw them in the institutions. student was shot dead and slaughtered at the
Nigerian educational institutions were not Dallimore area of Ado-Ekiti, the capital city of Ekiti
associated with secret cults until 1952 when Wole State.
Soyinka (now Professor) and six others (Olumu- On 8th June 2006, some cult members invaded
yiwa Awe, Ralph Opara, Tunji Tubi, Daign University of Ado-Ekiti at 12 noon where they
Imokhuede, Pius Olegbe and Olu Agunloye) burnt the cadet’s office, killed three students and
formed the Seadogs confraternity (a.k.a Pyrates). wounded many students and staff of the
The ideas behind the formation of the confra- university (Omoegun and Akanle 2007). The
ternity were both patriotic and altruistic as it was authors also reported that on June 28, 2006, a
not imagined as a secret cult. The main objectives lecturer (Seun Oyedola) was abducted and killed
of the seadogs as summarized by Orintusin (1990) during a clash between cults at the Olabisi
were: to fight non-violently but intellectually and Onabanjo University Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State.
effectively against the imposition of foreign Cultists have struck and killed many students in
conventions; to revive the age of chivalry; and higher institutions in Nigeria, with the most
to find a lasting solution to the problems of triba- gruesome happening at the Obafemi Awolowo
lism and elitism. University, Ile-Ife when about ten students were
Today, there are about forty-five (45) secret gunned down in a day by cultists (Jamiu 2008).
cults in Nigerian institutions of learning and are all Activities of cults is a sort of derailment from
equipped with an elaborate hierarchy, insignia and what started as a forum to awaken socio-cultural
distinct attire. Some of the most notable of these consciousness of our elite to fight oppression,
secret cults include the Black axe, Eiye confraternity, racism and colour discrimination has been
Vickings, Amazons, Buccaneer, Mafia, and bastardized, due to various factors. Ogidefa (2008)
Dragons. The female students are not left as they also reported that on July 10, 1999, five students
have their own groups among which are Temple of of Obafemi Awolowo University were killed (the
Eden, Frigrates, Barracudas, Daughters of Jezebel slain students were George ‘Yemi Iwilade, the then
among others (Adewale 2005). Secretary General, OAU Students Union, Tunde
Oke, a member of Democratic Socialist Movement,
Prevalence of Cultism on Campuses Efe Ekede, Eviano Ekelemu and Yemi Ajiteru). On
October 2003, three students—Kehinde Dosumu,
Although the history of cultism on the uni- Omotayo Suraju and Olalekan Ajao of Kwara State
versity campuses in Nigeria dates back to some Polytechnic were killed.
fifty years, its involvement in violence became Besides, Ogidefa (2008) also reported that
manifest only some two decades ago. The existence Tony Ileogbuna, acting Head of Geology
of these groups on campuses has made life unsafe department at the Enugu State University of
and meaningless to both staff and students. Their Science and Technology was murdered; Yomi
activities include: harassing any non-members who Edeki of University of Benin was killed on
snatched a member’s girl friend or ‘sugar daddy’ February 4th; Tuesday, March 9, 2004 Vincent
(in case of female cultism); harassing any female Uloho of University of Benin, Benin-City was also
students who refuse their amorous advances; murdered in cold blood. Again, July 2004, Wale
harassing any lecturer who insist on merit for Adeyori and Banji of the Federal Polytechnic Ilaro
passing examinations among others. were also killed; Ashifat Olatunji Saheed, a student
MENACE OF CULTISM IN NIGERIAN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS: THE WAY OUT 157

of The Polytechnic Ibadan was slaughtered in might be members of secret cults. Cult members
March, 2005; Gbenga Joseph, a policeman may come from broken homes where child abuse
attached to anti-cult squad of Kwara State police and neglect are very rampant. Ayodele and
command was killed by suspected cultist in June Ayodele (2002) also identified family breakdown
2005. Cultists slaughtered Bolaji Toniwa, a as one of the causes of cultism on campuses.
student of Lagos State University in September According to them, a child who comes from bro-
2005. ken home is exposed to parental negligence and
frustration. Such child is easily induced into cul-
Causes of Cultism in Nigerian Higher tism. According to Ogunbameru (2004), Freud’s
Institutions frustration – Aggression hypothesis stipulated
that frustration leads to aggression either towards
There are various causes of cultism on the perceived sources of interference or displaced
campuses some of which are examined as follows: to another object. Thus some students joined cult
1. Influence of Peer Group: There is no doubt to get over the frustration they encountered
that peer group influence is a potent factor that because of broken home.
compels young undergraduates to join secret 3. Societal Decadence: Ogunbameru (1997)
cults. Ibeh (2005) posited that, the period of lamented that the Nigerian society has willingly
adolescence is marked by intense social or unwillingly provided an enabling environment
relationship in any environment he/she finds for all forms of crimes among which is the problem
himself. At adolescent, there is a shift of emphasis of campus secret cult. The author argued that
on social relationship from the parents to the peer Nigeria has replaced honour with dishonour as a
group. As adolescent breaks the total reliance and standard attitude. Mgbekem (2005) also lamented
contact with his/her parents, he/she shifts same to that youths nowadays imbibed immoral values
the newly acquired group which in most cases is instead of inculcating moral and decent values.
any group on campus he/she embraces. The author posited that this accounts for why
Akinfolarin (2003) and Omoegun and Akanle (2007) the youth see or feel no qualms in joining secret
also reported in their studies that peer group cult. Okeowo (1994) also linked youths propensity
influence is one of the reasons students join to join cult to the general state of normlessness
cultism. existing in Nigeria.
2. Parental Background: Students, who 4. Erosion of Education Standards: The
come from homes where codes of good conduct economic downturn in the 1980s and early 1990s
and discipline are strictly enforced, are proved to in the country encouraged corruption and erosion
cultism. Olajuigbe (2001) reported that parental of standards in the educational system. Most
background, lack of moral instruction at home students gained admission into the universities
and the manner in which the child is brought could with dubious credentials (Akinfolarin 2003). Such
be a factor in enrolment as a member of a cult. students, because of their low self-image find
The author explained that excessive control by solace in cultism in order to survive the academic
parents, too many rules could make individual rigours at all cost. For such students, to survive
tense and anxious while a child whose freedom the academic system becomes a game of survival
knows no bound may be a ready candidate for at all cost and as such they join cult groups to
cult membership. intimidate lecturers and the school authorities.
According to Mgbekem (2004), some parents 5. Militarization of the Nigerian Polity:
love their children to the extent of pampering them. Adewale (2005) remarked that the culture of
When they do a wrong thing instead of scolding violence which has become part and parcel of the
them, they allow the children go free from the Nigerian polity has many faces among which are
offence. They grow up with such negative habit military coups, state sponsored violence, political
and consequently imbibe criminally-oriented assassinations, activities of ethnic militia and
behaviour which lead them to joining cult groups, communal clashes. The author argued that the
Owoeye (1997) also established a very strong link emergence of military coups in the Nigerian body
between weak and defective family background polity marked the official introduction of violence
and influence and tendencies for students to join as a way of resolving political conflicts. Ibukun
secret cults. (1999) also highlighted militarization of the
According to the author, parents themselves Nigerian polity for decades as a factor for cultism
158 I. A. AJAYI, HAASTRUP T. EKUNDAYO AND F. M. OSALUSI

in Nigerian tertiary institutions. While the no longer safe in university hostels because of
happenings in the university are an offshoot of frequent cult disturbances and insecurity. Some
the larger society, violence became pressed into parents now prefer off campus accommodation
the psyche of an average Nigerian. Poor economic for their children in tertiary institutions for fear of
prospects that accompany democratic gover- being victims of campus cultists’ rampage. In
nance in Nigeria seem to make cultism an attractive reality, cultism seems to put some lecturers who
option for youths. Besides, efforts by some may want to punish students unjustly on their
power-drunk politicians to gain power at all costs, toes, as they may not want to be the next victim
make them to train or recruit members as things in of cult’s unwholesome activities. Besides,
order to suppress their political opponents. politicians who want to get to power by force,
Other reasons for cultism in tertiary insti- employ the cultists as political thugs to threaten
tutions (identified in literature reviewed) include opponents, and also to manipulate the electoral
lack of recreational facilities, decay in social life process.
and increasing materialism of the society Due to the activities of the cultists and their
(Omoegun and Akanle 2007); lack of virile sponsors who supply them with sophisticated
students union, erosion of traditional academic weapons to prosecute communal clashes or to
culture (Adewale 2005); quest for power, status gain upper hand in power struggles, there are
and protection (Okwu 2006); the desire to hold illegal weapons in all nooks and crannies of the
elective posts in the students’ union and the desire tertiary institutions, some cities, towns and
for security (Ajayi and Ayodele 2002). villages. The cultists who are in possession of
such illegal weapons sometimes used them for
Effects of Cultism in Nigerian Tertiary perpetration of crimes.
Institutions
Solutions to the Menace of Campus Secret Cults
The attendant effects of cultism on the
learning process cannot be exhausted as both Over the past two decades, various attempts
intra and inter-cult clashes negatively affect the have been made to deal with the problem of
students in a very high proportion. It sometimes cultism. The various measures taken to address
leads to incarceration, rustication or expulsion of the spate of cultism in Nigerian tertiary insti-
both innocent and student members (Opaluwah tutions include the enactment of Decree 47 of
2009). 1989 that pronounced a number of year jail term
A lot of lives and properties have been for any cultist found guilty (Fasanmi 2006). Ibeh
destroyed through cult violence (Mgbekem 2004). (2006) also posited that Rivers State government
Young undergraduates who are supposed to be made a law stipulating a ten-year jail term sentence
leaders in future have fallen victims of trigger- without an option of fine for culprits of cultism.
happy cultists (Jamiu 2008). Our youth population Also, the Federal Republic of Nigeria under Chief
is being gradually decimated due to cult activities. Olusegun Obasanjo in 2000 issued a three-month
In the Niger-Delta where cult violence is wide- ultimatum to all vice-chancellors to eradicate cul-
spread in recent times, properties worth billions tism from the campuses. Some higher institutions
of Naira have been destroyed in communities in also set up anti-cult groups consisting of the
the area. Communities have been sacked as student body itself and some security agents to
inhabitants flee to different places for safety monitor and check the activities of cultists on
(Adewale 2005). campus.
The peace on campus is adversely affected Despite the various measures, it appears the
whenever there is cult invasion, this may result proliferation of cult groups and their dastard acts
in suspension of academic activities for sometime. continue unabated perhaps due to the lukewarm
Times without number, academic activities in these attitude of the government and the university
institutions have been brought to a standstill due authorities to enforce the rules. Ogidefa (2008)
to cult violence. Campus cultists kill, maim and posited that there are allegations that some vice-
rape fellow students and even lecturers. Lecturers chancellors were sponsoring cult activities in
are threatened into awarding unmerited scores to their universities to silence the voice of dissent.
cultist who do not attend classes (Opaluwah This appears not to augur well for a citadel of
2009). Mgbekem (2004) lamented that nights are learning. The following are the suggested
MENACE OF CULTISM IN NIGERIAN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS: THE WAY OUT 159

solutions to the menace of cultism in Nigeria current effort where students form vigilante
tertiary institutions. The following are the sugges- groups to monitor cultists should be encouraged.
ted solutions to the menace of cultism in Nigeria Prompt action concerning cases of cultism is also
tertiary institutions. a necessary condition as delay in taking actions
Government and non-governmental agencies against offenders worsens the situation. It is
should step up their campaigns against cultism suggested that any member of the public, no
and its destructive tendencies. The evil nature of matter how highly placed, linked with the activities
cultism should be explained to young people in of cultism in campus should be tracked down and
schools at all levels through sensitization, semi- brought to book.
nars and workshops. Osaigbovo (2000) reco-
mmended that through seminars, workshops, CONCLUSION
symposium, posters, handbills and public
lectures, cultism may be effectively combated. It has been established in the course of this
Parents should desist from being members of study that the problem of cultism, among others,
secret cults and also prevent their children from is a symptom of society, which is embroiled in
joining bad groups. Moral education should be moral decadence and where institutionalized and
re-introduced in all spheres of our lives and the personal violence has become a way of life.
decadent society should be spiritually reawaken- Realizing the havoc which cultism has wrecked
ed. The parents, religious organizations and on both members and non-members of the
government are to work jointly on this measure. academic community, all hands must be on deck
Parents should be more vigilant concerning the to combat the menace. Besides, if the tertiary
activities of their children within and outside the institutions’ administration would come back to
home. its glorious past as well as prepare the nation for
There must be improved facilities and the better days, there is the need to rediscover
improved living conditions on campuses so as to and teach the people concerned the goals of
minimize perceived strain in the social system university education.
which underlines cultism on the campuses
(Adewale 2005). Omoegun and Akanle (2007) RECOMMENDATIONS
suggested that universities should be reorgani-
zed, funded and should be provided with games It is therefore imperative on the part of the
so as to make universities attractive, involving, stakeholders in the university education (the
so that youthful exuberances of students will find churches, the mosques, parents, school adminis-
a rewarding outlet in competitive sports like trators and the society at large) to fuse effort to
football, athletics which could engage students eradicate the menace before it destroys the whole
in their spare times. educational system. Besides, govern-ment should
The authorities of higher institutions of be more aggressive in her quest to eradicate
learning must show doggedness in their deter- cultism in the tertiary institutions.
mination to stamp out cultism. They must brace
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