Al-Hikmah University Journal

Cultism in tertiary institutions is a social problem which seems to defy solution in Nigeria. The major objective of the study was to determine the influence of cultism on academic performance of students in Federal Polytechnic Offa, Kwara State, Nigeria. The study raised one research question. The survey research design was adopted and the sample of the study consisted of 240 respondents randomly selected among the staff of the institution. A structured questionnaire designed by the researcher was used to obtain the data. The data collected were analysed using percentage rating with benchmark of 70% for accepting the questionnaire items. The research revealed that cultism has negative influence on academic performance of students in Federal Polytechnic Offa, Kwara State, Nigeria. The study concluded that cultism is making the acquisition of skills that could accelerate the phase of Nigeria’s development difficult. As a way out, the paper among other things recommended that new students should be adequately orientated on the menace of cultism.