You’ve probably heard about Cultism in Nigeria, but do you really understand the damage it’s causing? This country is your home, and these dangerous groups are destroying lives and communities. It’s time to open your eyes to the harsh realities. The violence and corruption seem so senseless, but there are complex forces at play. To make a difference, you need the full story. Stick with me as we dive into the far-reaching consequences of Cultism, from rustication to disruption of academic studies. Together, we’ll explore ways to curb Cultism’s crushing impact.
What is Cultism?
Cultism refers to a system of rituals, ceremonies, and practices involving secret societies at tertiary institutions. These groups, known as cults or confraternities, often engage in dangerous activities like violence and other criminal behaviors.
Collectively, Cultism poses a threat to the educational system, future leadership, and sustainable development in Nigeria. Urgent action needs to be taken to address this menace before it destroys the very fabric of society.
Origin of Cultism in Nigeria
Cultism has been an issue in Nigeria for decades, tracing back to 1952 when the first confraternity, known as the Pyrates Confraternity, was formed at the University College Ibadan, now known as the University of Ibadan. The Pyrates Confraternity was formed with the aim of abolishing the colonial mentality that was prevalent in the university at that time and bridging the gap between foreign students and their Nigerian counterparts. The Pyrates Confraternity was started by seven students among which was the popular Nigerian Nobel Laurette, Wole Soyinka.
However, in the late 1970s, the Pyrates Confraternity began to experience an internal crisis, which led to the formation of breakaway groups with opposing aims and objectives. Two of the breakaway groups that were formed are the Supreme Eiye Confraternity (SEC) and the Brotherhood of the Blood (Black Axe). These breakaway groups deviated from the original objectives of the Pyrates Confraternity and introduced occultism, violence, and other criminal activities into their operations.
By the late 1980s and 1990s, Cultism had spread from universities to secondary schools. Teenagers and youths in secondary schools started forming cult groups to oppress their peers, extort money from students and even teachers, and engage in other vices like rape, assault, and robbery. Some notable cult groups that emerged in secondary schools then include the Buccaneers, Mgba Mgba Brothers, Mafia Lords, and the Outlaws.
In summary, Cultism originated with good intentions in Nigeria but later deviated into dangerous groups that spread violence. Understanding its origins and impact can help find solutions to curb this menace in society.
Causes of Cultism
Cultism has become a major issue in Nigeria, especially among youths and students. There are several factors that contribute to the rise of Cultism:
Lack of parental care
Many cultists come from homes where parents are too busy to properly monitor their children’s activities and welfare. Without guidance, these youths easily fall prey to negative influences and peer pressure.
Peer pressure
The desire to fit in and be accepted by peers is a strong motivator for teenagers and youths to join cult groups. Even those from stable homes can be lured into Cultism by the promise of popularity, connections, and belonging.
Unemployment
The lack of jobs and meaningful work can drive youths to join cult groups out of frustration and the need to feel purposeful. Cult groups provide them with a sense of identity, power, and means of making money through illegal activities.
Thrill-seeking behaviors
Some youths join cult groups simply for adventure and excitement. They are attracted to the daring and often dangerous activities that cult groups engage in. The cult lifestyle seems glamorous and thrilling to them.
Lack of recreational facilities
The absence of recreational centers, sports facilities, and youth programs in many communities leaves youths idle and prone to negative influences like Cultism. They have too much free time and energy but are not productive.
Poverty
Impoverished youths may turn to Cultism as a means of survival. Cult groups provide their sources of income through illegal means like armed robbery, kidnapping, oil bunkering, and cybercrime. They feel they have no other choice but to escape poverty.
Desire for power and protection
Some students are lured into cults by the promise of power, status, and protection. Cult groups portray themselves as elite social clubs that offer benefits and privileges to members. Students struggling with low self-esteem or lack of identity may find this appealing. However, the reality is that cults often exploit their members and demand total obedience and control over them.
Political influence
There is evidence that some cult groups have connections to prominent politicians and public figures. These politicians may use cult members to intimidate opponents, rig elections, and carry out other illegal activities. In return, they provide funding, resources, and protection for the cults. This political patronage allows cults to flourish and gain influence, especially on campuses.
Inadequate security
Weak security apparatus and porous borders allow cult groups to smuggle in arms and hard drugs with ease. They are able to operate freely without much threat of being caught or punished. Many schools and campuses lack adequate security to curb the activities of cult groups. Cults are often able to recruit, initiate, and carry out criminal plans with little interference from authorities. Lack of deterrence allows Cultism to thrive in these environments. Stronger security measures and enforcement are needed to stem the rise of Cultism in Nigeria’s educational institutions.
The Consequences of Cultism
Nigeria has been battling with the menace of Cultism for decades. Cultism refers to the rampant activities of secret cults in tertiary institutions. These cults were initially formed to fight injustice but have now turned into violent and deadly groups. The activities of these cults have resulted in loss of lives, disruption of academic activities, and destruction of property.
Here are some of the devastating consequences of Cultism:
Poor Academic Performance
Cultism has been identified as one of the major causes of poor academic performance in higher institutions of learning in Nigeria. Students who belong to cult groups often neglect their studies as they spend valuable time engaging in cult-related activities like attending meetings, recruiting new members, and planning attacks on rival cult groups.
As a cultist, your loyalty is first to your cult group before anything else. You have to be available anytime your group calls on you, even if it means missing classes or not studying for exams. The cult becomes the center of your life, and academics take a backseat. This distraction and divided attention inevitably lead to poor grades and overall academic performance.
Intimidation and threats from cult groups also disrupt the learning environment. Non-cultist students live in fear of attacks and violence, and this climate of insecurity is not conducive to learning. Lecturers and university staff are also subjected to harassment and assault. In some cases, cultists go as far as disrupting lectures or examinations to demonstrate their power.
In summary, Cultism sabotages the core purpose of university education in Nigeria, which is to teach and empower students intellectually. By promoting a culture of violence over academics, Cultism produces half-baked graduates who lack the knowledge and skills to contribute meaningfully to society. Tackling the menace of Cultism is crucial to restoring stability in the Nigerian education system and raising standards of learning.
Disorientation of Societal Values
Cultism has negatively impacted Nigeria’s societal values. Youths now see Cultism as a means to gain power, wealth, and status. Instead of hard work, determination, and patience, Cultism is viewed as a quick means to success. This mindset is detrimental to the moral fabric of society.
Youths now believe that to gain wealth, power, and status, one must join a cult group. They believe Cultism is a shortcut to success rather than working hard to achieve their goals. This belief system is flawed and is damaging the values of hard work and patience that were once upheld in society. Cultists promote exam malpractice through intimidation of lecturers and students. They threaten violence against those who refuse to comply. This undermines educational standards and devalues degrees.
Cultism has led to a loss of value for human life. Members frequently assault and kill perceived enemies over minor disagreements. They also conduct violent initiation rites that often lead to deaths. This trivialization of human life is appalling and is severely damaging society.
There is also a lack of respect for shared community spaces. Cultists frequently vandalize public property by painting cult signs and symbols on walls, vehicles, and signposts. They also make many community spaces unsafe by conducting violent meetings and initiation rites there. This degradation of shared spaces shows a lack of consideration for others in the community.
Expulsion
Being expelled from school is one of the most serious consequences of Cultism. Once a student is identified as a cult member, they face immediate expulsion. This means you are forced to leave the school and will no longer be allowed to continue your education there.
Your life, as you know it, will be turned upside down. You’ll be cut off from your friends and normal routine at school. The relationships you’ve built with teachers and mentors will come to an abrupt end. The future you envisioned, the career path you were pursuing, all of that is thrown into question. You may feel angry at the perceived unfairness of the punishment or scared about what comes next. However, the school has to take a hard line against cultism to protect other students and staff. Their zero-tolerance policy means cult members cannot remain part of the school community.
With expulsion on your record, it can also be difficult to enroll in another school. Many schools are hesitant to accept students with a history of Cultism or other serious disciplinary issues. You may need to take remedial classes to catch up on coursework before being allowed to re-enroll. In some cases, students are unable to continue their education at all following expulsion. The social and psychological impacts of expulsion can also be far-reaching. There is a stigma around being expelled that can lead to isolation, low self-esteem, and mental health issues. The lack of structure and social connections that school provides can be destabilizing. It may take years to rebuild your life and move past this setback.
In conclusion, expulsion is one of the harshest penalties for Cultism, as it cuts you off from the educational opportunities and relationships that shape your future. The consequences are lifelong and reinforce why Cultism has no place in schools. The only way to avoid expulsion is to avoid participating in Cultism altogether.
Threat to Peace and Security
Cultism poses a serious threat to peace and security in Nigeria. Cult groups are heavily involved in violence, intimidation, and criminal activities like armed robbery, kidnapping, rape, and murder.
The frequent cult clashes and violence have claimed thousands of lives over the years. Rival cult groups frequently engage in bloody confrontations over supremacy and territorial control. These cult wars involve the use of dangerous weapons like machetes, axes, and, in some cases, firearms. Many innocent lives have been lost during some of these cult clashes in Nigeria. The activities of cult groups also negatively impact the educational system. Cultists terrorize students and staff in schools and colleges. They intimidate, harass, rape, and sometimes kill students who refuse to join their cult groups. This has turned some schools and campuses into theaters of war and negatively affected teaching and learning.
Cultism fuels other criminal activities like armed robbery, kidnapping and rape. Some cult groups engage in armed robbery attacks, especially at night. They also kidnap their targets for ransom to fund their cult activities. Rape is also commonly used by some cult groups to intimidate female students and instill fear in the public. The proliferation of small arms and light weapons in the hands of cultists poses a huge threat to human lives and property. These weapons are freely used to terrorize, intimidate, and kill their targets. They contribute to the cycle of violence in the society.
In summary, Cultism threatens peace, security, and human lives in Nigeria through violence, intimidation, and criminal activities. Urgent actions must be taken to curb this menace and make the country safer. Tackling Cultism requires collaborative efforts from all stakeholders to succeed.
Disrupts Academic Activities
Cultism severely disrupts academic activities in schools and universities. Students who are cult members often engage in violent clashes on campus that frequently lead to the destruction of school property. These violent encounters scare other students and lecturers, creating an atmosphere of fear and insecurity.
The preoccupation with cult activities leads to a decline in academic performance and an eventual drop in grades. Some students completely abandon their education altogether to focus fully on cult activities. Tertiary institutions have reported an increase in dropouts and a prolongation of study periods for students involved in cults.
The violent clashes between rival cult groups frequently lead to the destruction of university property, closure of campuses, and suspension of academic activities. Students are forced to stay away from school until the conflict is resolved and calm is restored. This interruption in learning, along with the psychological trauma from witnessing or experiencing violence, contributes to disruption of academic activities.
Death
Cultism has led to unnecessary loss of lives in Nigeria, especially among youths. Young people are often initiated into cult groups at a very young age, usually in secondary schools and universities. Once initiated, they become devoted members who are willing to kill and be killed for their cult groups.
Cult groups frequently engage in violent clashes over supremacy and territorial control. These clashes often lead to the deaths of not just cult members but also innocent citizens. During cult clashes, members attack one another with dangerous weapons like guns, machetes, and knives. These violent clashes have claimed thousands of lives in Nigeria, especially in cities like Lagos, Ibadan, Kano, and Port Harcourt.
Cult groups also carry out targeted assassinations of members from rival cults. They consider these assassinations as a way to weaken rival cult groups by eliminating their key members. Cult assassinations are usually very brutal and gruesome. Victims are hacked to death, shot at close range, or have their throats slit. These assassinations further heighten tensions between cult groups and fuel the cycle of violence.
The activities of cult groups often claim the lives of innocent bystanders who get caught in the crossfire. During cult clashes or assassinations, stray bullets can hit and kill people who are not involved with any cult group. Cult members in a frenzy to attack their rivals also sometimes mistake innocent people for members of the opposing cult and attack them. These unnecessary deaths of innocent citizens are one of the biggest consequences of the menace of Cultism in Nigeria.
In conclusion, Cultism should be curbed because it has far-reaching consequences on the society such as loss of lives, disruption of education and destruction of property. Stakeholders like the government, school authorities, students, parents and the larger society need to come together to find solutions to eradicate Cultism in Nigerian institutions.
Steps to Stop Cultism in Nigeria
Stopping Cultism requires collective action across communities and strong political will. Here are five measures that can help curb this menace:
Enact and enforce anti-cultism laws
Passing laws that specifically prohibit Cultism and associated criminal activities will provide legal backing to curb this practice. However, laws alone are not enough. Strict enforcement and punishment of offenders are equally important to deter people from joining cults. Enforce strict disciplinary actions. Expel any students found participating in cult activity. This zero-tolerance policy will discourage others from joining.
Improve living standards
Poverty and lack of access to opportunities often drive youth to join cults. Improving living standards through job creation, education, and empowerment programs can help address this root cause. When youth have hope for a better future, they are less susceptible to the lure of cults.
Reform the education system
Our education system needs reform to promote values such as tolerance, human rights, and civic responsibility. Schools should also counsel students on the dangers of Cultism and have anti-cultism clubs and programs. With the right education and guidance, students can resist negative peer pressure to join cults.
Community sensitization
Communities should be sensitized through awareness campaigns on the evils of Cultism. Religious institutions, community centers, and the media can organize talks, dramas, road walks, and other programs to highlight how Cultism destroys lives and society. Changing mindsets at the grassroots level can help curb the spread of Cultism.
Improve security
Improved security measures, such as patrols around schools and residential areas, can help curb cult-related crimes like violence, theft, rape, and destruction of property. When cultists fear the consequences of their actions, their influence is reduced. Community vigilance groups can also help in areas with limited security presence.
Conclusion
Cultism is a complex issue with many consequences that impact all of Nigeria. As we’ve explored, it breeds violence and instability, corrodes our values, destroys lives, and holds back progress. But don’t despair. With education, opportunity, and community support, we can curb this scourge. Your role matters more than you know. Get informed. Get involved. Spread awareness. Support youth outreach. The future is unwritten, and there is hope. Together, we can build a Nigeria where cultism has no place and where all people can live freely.