Students' perceptions of the applicability of maicibi's formula and cognitive restructuring in mitigating cultism in Ilorin metropolis, Kwara state, Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined students' perceptions of the applicability of Maicibi's formula and cognitive restructuring in mitigating cultism in tertiary institutions within Ilorin metropolis, Kwara State, Nigeria. Cultism remains a persistent challenge that undermines campus security, disrupts academic activities, and threatens the psychosocial development of students. The study adopted a descriptive survey design involving three hundred students selected through stratified and simple random sampling from a university, a polytechnic, and a college of education in Ilorin metropolis. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analysed using frequency counts, percentages, and mean scores. The findings revealed that students perceived peer pressure, inadequate parental guidance, the desire for social recognition, weak institutional discipline, and political influence as major factors contributing to cultism. Respondents also perceived cultism as contributing to campus violence, academic disruption, poor academic performance, social withdrawal, and psychological trauma. Furthermore, students expressed positive perceptions regarding the applicability of Maicibi's formula, particularly the deterrent effects of apprehension, conviction, punishment, and social stigmatisation. Respondents also viewed cognitive restructuring as a useful psychological approach for challenging distorted beliefs associated with cult membership and promoting prosocial alternatives. In addition, participants perceived that reductions in cultism could contribute to safer learning environments, improved educational outcomes, and broader socio economic benefits. The study concludes that students generally perceive both Maicibi's formula and cognitive restructuring as applicable approaches for addressing cultism in tertiary institutions, and it recommends strengthened institutional enforcement, enhanced counselling services, greater parental involvement, and youth development initiatives as complementary strategies.