Benue State University, Makurdi

CULTISM AND THE MANAGEMENT OF FEDERAL UNIVERSITIES IN THE NORTH CENTRAL ZONE OF NIGERIA

Ivagher, Ezekiel Dondo PhD
Department of Educational Foundations, Benue State University, Makurdi

Prof. Adejo Okwori
Department of Educational Foundations, Benue State University, Makurdi

Yawe Aernan Athanasius, PhD.
Department of Educational Foundations, Benue State University, Makurdi

Abstract

This study investigated cultism and the management of federal universities in the North Central Zone of Nigeria. Two research questions guided the study and two hypotheses were tested. Descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. The population of the study consisted of 10,249 academic and administrative staff in seven federal universities in the area. A sample of 1,025 (485 academic and 540 administrative) staff were sampled for the study. Theproportionate stratified random sampling technique of balloting without replacement was used to select the respondents for the study. A 42-item four point rating scale structured questionnaire titled “Cultism and the Management of Universities Questionnaire (CMUQ)” and an “Interview Schedule” were used for data collection. The instruments were validated by five experts, three in Educational Management, one in Measurement and Evaluation and one in Guidance and Counseling. The reliability of the instrument was ascertained through a trial survey and testing which yielded a Cronbach Alpha correlation co-efficient of 0.91 which was considered high enough and reliable to use for the study. Mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions, while frequency, percentages and charts were used to analyze the responses from the interview schedule. Chi-square (χ 2 ) test of goodness of-fit was used to test the null hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The findings indicated that cultism significantly influenced examination integrity and academic calendar in federal universities in North Central Zone of Nigeria. It was recommended among others that the management of various universities should endeavour to be consistent with their policies that would help to enhance conducive atmosphere for teaching and learning in the universities and minimize issues that may spur students to involving themselves in cult activities.

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