Project Abstract

Abstract
Cultism in Nigeria is a pervasive problem that has had detrimental effects on the social, economic, and political fabric of the country. This research project aims to explore strategies for cushioning the impact of cultism in Nigeria. The study will investigate the root causes of cultism, its manifestations in different sectors of society, and the current strategies being employed to combat it. By conducting interviews with experts in the field, analyzing existing literature, and reviewing relevant policies, this research seeks to identify effective measures that can be implemented to mitigate the influence of cultism in Nigeria. One of the key objectives of this study is to examine the role of education in addressing cultism. Education is widely recognized as a powerful tool for preventing individuals from being lured into cult groups. By promoting values such as critical thinking, tolerance, and respect for others, schools can help cultivate a culture of peace and non-violence that is antithetical to the ideologies of cultism. In addition, the research will explore the potential for integrating anti-cultism education into the national curriculum and developing targeted programs to raise awareness about the dangers of cultism among students. Furthermore, this project will investigate the significance of community engagement in combating cultism. Communities play a crucial role in shaping the behavior and beliefs of their members, and by fostering strong social ties and promoting positive role models, they can help steer individuals away from the clutches of cult groups. The study will examine successful community initiatives that have effectively reduced the prevalence of cultism in certain areas and identify best practices that can be replicated in other communities. Moreover, the research will analyze the impact of law enforcement efforts in curbing cultism. While punitive measures are necessary to hold cult members accountable for their actions, the study will explore alternative approaches, such as rehabilitation programs and reintegration strategies, that address the root causes of cultism and offer a path to exit for those involved. By examining the strengths and weaknesses of current law enforcement practices, this research aims to propose recommendations for a more holistic and sustainable approach to tackling cultism in Nigeria. In conclusion, this research project seeks to provide valuable insights into the multifaceted issue of cultism in Nigeria and offer practical recommendations for cushioning its effects. By addressing the problem from various angles, including education, community engagement, and law enforcement, this study aims to contribute to the development of comprehensive strategies that can effectively combat cultism and promote a safer and more harmonious society.

Project Overview

1.1   INTRODUCTION

Cult according to the longman dictionary of contemporary English is the group of people believing in a particular system of religious worship with its special customs and ceremonies.
 Similarly the Oxford advanced learners dictionary of current learning defines same as a system of religious worship especially one that is expressed in ritual.
Generally cultism has been identified as an obvious and problematic issue that prevailed in most social and cultural set up in the world today. Because of its changed nature of operation, it is said to be a religious groups devoted to livings authority, a new teaching or in human practice, ranging in size from few fellowers living under the command of their higher authority to world wide organization directed by a complex chain of command. However, this work “cushioning the effects of cultism in Nigerian tertiary institutions” is concerned with the educational sector that is, how the scenario affects the lives and activities of higher institution of higher learning in Nigeria like the universities, polytechnics, and the college of educations.
Although, cultism in Nigeria tertiary institution started in the 1950`s specifically in the universities of Ibadan where it served as an organized resistance of tyranny and oppression, today it has turned to a deadly and blood thirsty group that has living leaders and promotes new occult or mysterious doctrines.
 
Apparently, one my be prompted to say that the root of violence in our institution of higher learning came as a result of the dangerous and inhuman dictrine which contributed in making our campuses unstable. Cultism has coursed a lot of unbearable damages on the psyche of innocent students just as the social life in some tertiary institutions has been earnestly marked by terror, crime of different kinds and uneasiness. Live of students, lecturers as well as the management have been stark by this act of anti-social activities all in the guise of cultism.
It is more sympathetic and unpleasant that cultism in our various campus today has taken a murderous stand and has become an epidemic to the education sector, which in recent time had led to the distortion of academic calendar and closure of many tertiary institution. A case in point can be traced to the cultism acts in the Olabisi Onobanjo University, Ile-Ife in Ogun State, Obafemi, Awolowo University (OOU) in Ogun state and that of university of Jos Respectively, whose presence has ruined the future of many potential students, lecturers and the management of some institutions. This is because those whom much is invested in are busy fighting and shading the blood of one another as if the campus is a competition floor in which everybody will claim his power.
Nevertheless, the situation has over the years thrown a saddened and piteous mood on the federal government of Nigeria ministry of education. The authorities of this institution themselves and has rendered their efforts useless reviving the sector. Infact, cultism is a bye product or an element of one fall to a lower level in moral and socio-economic order. Consequently, despite the open condemnation of cult activities in the institution of higher learning via the instrument of law and administrative sanctions, the battle appears to be lost to cults doctrines practice
Therefore, this term paper, a thirty (“30”) minutes radio discussion programme in “cushioning the Effect of cultism in Nigeria tertiary institution” will dig deeply into the nature, causes, effect and finally look into the ways out of the given scenario.
 
1.2      STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
The idea of conducting this works dates to the confusions and restless pressure imposed on some of the Nigerians institutions by this anti-social act (cultism), which resulted to some extent where campuses were unstable and administrative efforts dangling to and fro.
A study of this nature is considered significant in at least three respects namely; personal, social and academic. The study will enable the researcher to sharpen his/her focus, and understanding of the basis of cultism, how it affects the education sector and its immediate and remote solution or recommendations. The study which has its primary aim of exposing the nature of cultism and help to nurture and sustain an atmosphere in which students will function and advance in their chosen pattern of any given social groups with a better understanding of the past. In the light of this, it will help the institutions management and other interest groups to add to their mapped strategies against cultism in order to eliminate it in their sphere of jurisdiction.
Furthermore, this study intended not only to add to the existing body of knowledge about cultism but to also stimulate future researchers in related areas and in brief serve as a reference material for the students, lecturers as well as the management of concerned institutions.
 1.3   Although, it is believed that several studies have been done in the area of cultism, but that does not mean that all have been done. As it is often said “No man is an highland” so no man can claim that he/she has accomplished a study on cultism and its relevance solutions because the world and the society we live in is changing every moments.
However, this term paper covers   in term of geographical spread, the education sector especially the universities, polytechnic and colleges of education , because it is the root of any developed and developing country and if therefore left to be ruined by certain groups of individuals, the consequences will not only fall great on the sector but the globe at large