CULTISM

Cultism remains a persistent challenge in Nigeria universities, contributing to violence, substance abuse, and disruption in academic environments. Despite numerous anti- cultism campaigns, many students continue to engage in cult-related activities. This study explores the use of cartoon characters as an illustrative medium to raise awareness about the dangers of cultism. Through engaging visuals narrative, cartoons have the potential to communicate complex social issues effectively, especially to young audience. The study employs a mixed method approach, combining survey and interviews with university students to accesses their perceptions of cultism and the impact of cartoon –based messaging. Findings suggest that cartoons can serve as an effective alternative to traditional anti-cultism strategies, offering relatable and visually compelling messages that resonate with students. The concludes that incorporation cartoons into awareness campaign could enhance student engagement and contribute to reducing cultism in Nigeria universities.

The study was carried out to determine “influence of cultism on the academic performance of undergraduate students: university of benin”. The research questions raised for this study are; What is the prevalence of cultism among students. Does cultism have any significant negative and positive effect on student academic performance. How does involvement in cultism affect the academic performance of students. What measures can be implemented to mitigate the negative effects of cultism on the academic performance of students. The population of this study comprised all the 15 faculties in the University of Benin, 2022/2023 Academic session. The population of forty three thousand four hundred and seventy (43,470) students were the respondents. The sample size selected for this study is one hundred (100) undergraduate students, selected randomly from the 15 faculties of University of Benin using simple random sampling technique. This study was conducted to assess the influence of cultism on the academic performance of undergraduate. a case study of university of Benin. Four research questions were raised. This study made use of the descriptive survey research design. The population of this study comprised all the 15 faculties in the University of Benin, 2022/2023 Academic session. The population of forty three thousand four hundred and seventy (43,470) students were the respondents. The sample size selected for this study is one hundred (100) undergraduate students, selected randomly from the 15 faculties of University of Benin using simple random sampling technique. In order to elicit information from the respondents, a structured questionnaire named "Influence of Cultism on the Academic Performance of University Students Questionnaire (ICAPUQ) was distributed to the respondents. The questionnaire was divided into two sections. Section A was designed to generate information about the school and respondents. Section B consists of questions drawn from the research questions. The scale used was "Yes" or "No".The test-retest reliability method was used to determine the reliability of the instrument and the process yielded an index of 0.81 Data obtained from the study were analysed using mean and standard deviation.. The following recommendation were made: There should be increased security measures and surveillance on campus to identify and prevent cult activities, ensuring the safety and well-being of all students at the University of Benin.There should be regular workshops and seminars organized by the university to educate students on the dangers and consequences of cultism, as well as provide support resources for those who may be at risk of joining a cult. There should be a zero-tolerance policy towards cultism, with strict disciplinary actions in place for students found to be involved in such activities, to deter others from engaging in similar behavior.There should be more access to mental health support services for students experiencing the pressures

This study was carried out to identify the factors influencing youth involve in cultism, a case study of undergraduate students in the University of Benin. The research was carried out as a survey research using relevant literature from journals, magazines, books and the internet. Four research questions were raised for the purpose of the study. A sample random sampling technique was used in selection of two hundred (200) university of Benin students. The data were collected with questionnaire instrument and analyzed using simple percentage. The result revealed that; the factors influencing university of Benin students into cultism are, inferiority complex, parental upbringing, broken homes, protection and students indulge in cultism because those caught in cult activities are not persecuted, the effect of cultism on the academic performances student are there is decline in the academic of a cultist, students who involve in cultism spends lots of extra years in school, absenteeism from classes and most of them end up not graduating at all, the rate of cultism on campus is low, as most students of the University of Benin are likely forced into cultism because of their resident area. Based on the results, it was recommended that professional guidance counselors should organize public lectures, seminars and workshops for students on the dangers of cultism, parents and Guardians should inculcate been apprehended by security operatives should be paraded and publicly sanctioned so that other students can learn from it and finally, on the part of the stakeholders in the university education (the churches, the mosques, parents, school administrators and the society at large) to fuse effort to eradicate the menace before it destroys the whole educational system.