CURTAILING THE MENACE OF SECRET CULTS AND SOCIETIES IN NIGERIAN INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION

Abstract

It is with dismay and great concern that Nigerians have watched the growing prevalence and the menace of secret cults and societies in our tertiary institutions. The academic communities started feeling the presence of these societies from the mid 1970s. Among others were, Pirates, Bucaneers, Yahoo and the very latest down south, Confraternity (bird). The clandestine characters and activities of the societies have continued to change and expand since their first appearances.

It is pertinent to state at this juncture that the situation has reached a stage of menace to the communities i.e. campuses and environs where they are operating. Their activities have posed threats to lives and property as well as to discipline in the institutions. There had been violence and casualties as a result of their operations. Innocent students who are non-members are feeling endangered and are calling for protection. For example in a publication, the African Guardian, February 19, 1994, a student's passionate call for rescue from cult, terrorism was reported.

It must however be mentioned that there are some institutions which have been able to either supports of prevent the secret societies from operating on their campuses. The implications of this on admission process in tertiary institutions would be dealt with in the course of this work.

As this is a contemporary and very topical issue, I believe that researches are still going on as to why this is happening and how the menace can be curtailed. There is a lot of literature on VIOLENCE, STUDENTS UNREST, INSTITUTIONAL MANAGEMENT etc. but the writers have given little or no attention to this particular area of study.

The study conducted a survey, identifying some of the institutions in which the secret cults and societies are operating. Interviews were conducted with both students and management of identified/selected institutions and results were analysed. The study also consulted relevant books on sociology, ethics, fraternities and management.

The analysis of our findings determined recommendations which the study hopes would be of benefit to Nigeria's higher education system or, in any case, trigger off more researches along the line of this study.