By Obakunle Damilola
In the quiet corridors of Nigerian universities, beneath the buzz of academic pursuit and the promise of bright futures, lurks a shadow that has refused to fade, cultism. Once an elite fraternity of intellectual camaraderie, it has morphed into a brutal, secretive underworld responsible for violence, fear, and far too many lost lives.
As someone who has walked the halls of a Nigerian higher institution, I have witnessed firsthand the unease that settles over a campus after a cult clash. The silence that follows a fatal confrontation is often louder than the gunshots that preceded it. Today, this menace threatens not only the sanctity of our educational system but also the moral fabric of our society.
Cultism in Nigerian institutions traces its roots back to the 1950s, when it began as a means for students mostly from affluent backgrounds to organize and advocate for social justice and academic reform. The first of these, the Pyrates Confraternity, was formed at the University College, Ibadan. It was founded on ideals of nobility, brotherhood, and resistance to colonial oppression.
But somewhere along the line, the ideals were hijacked. What was meant to foster leadership and unity became a cloak for criminality and chaos. Rival groups sprouted, each more secretive and violent than the last, with external political and criminal elements often exploiting them.
Cultism’s impact on education is profound. Students drawn into these groups often find themselves caught in a dangerous spiral of violence, drug use, and criminality. Their academic performance suffers, attendance dwindles, and in too many cases, promising lives are cut short.
For those not directly involved, the fear is just as real. Lecturers and non-affiliated students live under constant threat afraid to speak out, afraid to be targets. This atmosphere erodes the core of what a university should be: a safe space for critical thinking, growth, and open dialogue.
The body count continues to rise. In 2019, a life was lost at the University of Ilorin in a cult-related clash. In 2020, several students at the Federal University of Technology, Akure were hospitalized after a similar confrontation. These are not isolated cases—they are part of a grim pattern.
Too often, justice is delayed, or worse, denied. Cultists have been known to operate with impunity, sometimes enjoying the protection of corrupt elements within the institutions or society at large.
Cultism does not end at the campus gates. Many of these cultists go on to become foot soldiers in wider criminal networks. Their activities spill into the streets armed robbery, political thuggery, kidnapping, even ritual killings. In the process, they help to fuel a dangerous culture of lawlessness and fear.
When we lose control of our campuses, we lose control of our future.
Solving the cultism crisis requires more than knee-jerk reactions. It calls for intentional, sustained, and collective action. Some of the steps that can make a difference include:
Strengthening Campus Security: Universities must prioritize safety. Surveillance, intelligence-led patrols, and security collaboration with local law enforcement should be non-negotiable.
Reinforcing Anti-Cult Campaigns: Awareness is powerful. Institutions must invest in ongoing anti-cult education through seminars, clubs, drama, and student-led advocacy.
Parental and Community Involvement: Cultism often thrives in secrecy. Parents must maintain open lines of communication with their wards and monitor behavioral shifts. Communities must reject the glorification of cultists.
Government and Policy Action: The state must take a clear and consistent stand. Policies that criminalize cultism must be enforced, and support must be extended to schools struggling to manage this crisis. Special task forces focused on youth violence and cultism can offer lasting solutions.
Mentorship and Counseling: Students often join cults for a sense of belonging or protection. Schools must provide alternative support systems—mentorship programs, peer counselors, and platforms for expression and conflict resolution.
Cultism in Nigerian higher institutions is more than just a campus problem, it is a national emergency. It threatens our children, our communities, and the future of our nation. We must remember that each student lost to cultism is not just a statistic but a son, a daughter, a dream unfulfilled.
If we are to build an educational system worthy of our aspirations as a people, then we must confront this scourge with courage, compassion, and unrelenting commitment.
Let us act, before the silence grows louder than the learning.
