Old problem, new manifestation : the emergence of cultism in rural secondary schools in Anambra state, Nigeria

Title data

Alumona, Ikenna Mike ; Onwuanabile, Kingsley ; Iwuoha, Victor ; Aniche, Ernest Toochi:
Old problem, new manifestation : the emergence of cultism in rural secondary schools in Anambra state, Nigeria.
In: Security Journal. Vol. 36 (2023) Issue 3 . - pp. 498-529.
ISSN 1743-4645
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/s41284-022-00351-4

Official URL:

Abstract in another language

The menace of cultism is not fundamentally new, especially in the tertiary education system in Nigeria, but it has assumed a worrisome dimension going by the recent experiences in rural areas. This study examines the changing manifestation and extension of school cultism from university campuses to secondary schools in rural communities. Primary data was generated through non-participant observations and focus group discussions (FGD) conducted across twelve rural secondary schools in the study areas. Data analysis reveals that the emergence of cultism in rural secondary schools is closely tied to the infiltration of university students into secondary schools to hunt for recruits among younger students. The study concludes that secondary school cultism lowers the academic performance of students and threatens the security of host rural communities. It suggests the adoption of preventive security approaches in rural secondary schools, such as all-round fencing of school premises, installation of CCTV/technology-based monitoring system and the use of anti-cult groups in curbing the menace.

Further data

Item Type:	Article in a journal
Refereed:	Yes
Institutions of the University:	Faculties > Faculty of Biology, Chemistry and Earth Sciences > Department of Earth Sciences > Professor Political Geography Faculties > Faculty of Biology, Chemistry and Earth Sciences > Department of Earth Sciences > Professor Political Geography > Professor Political Geography - Univ.-Prof. Dr. Martin Doevenspeck
Result of work at the UBT:	Yes
DDC Subjects:	300 Social sciences > 300 Social sciences, sociology and anthropology 900 History and geography > 910 Geography, travel
Date Deposited:	06 Feb 2026 12:36
Last Modified:	06 Feb 2026 12:36
URI:	https://eref.uni-bayreuth.de/id/eprint/96021