Chapter One — 1.1 Background to the Study

Over the past decade, the relationship between cultism and social cohesion has become a subject of considerable debate among scholars and industry practitioners alike, particularly within the context of Selected Public Universities in Nigeria where operating conditions differ markedly from more developed markets.

Selected Public Universities in Nigeria presents a useful setting for examining this relationship precisely because the conditions there — structural, regulatory, and behavioural — differ from those typically assumed in the broader literature, most of which draws on evidence from more developed economies.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Despite a growing body of literature on cultism, there remains limited consensus on the precise nature of its relationship with social cohesion, particularly within Selected Public Universities in Nigeria. Many organizations continue to make decisions about cultism without a clear, evidence-based understanding of how those decisions ultimately affect social cohesion. This gap between practice and empirical understanding is the central problem this study seeks to address.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

1. To examine the effect of Cultism on social cohesion in Selected Public Universities in Nigeria.
2. To assess the extent to which cultism influences social cohesion within the study area.
3. To identify the challenges associated with cultism in relation to social cohesion.
4. To recommend strategies for optimizing cultism in order to improve social cohesion.

1.4 Research Questions

1. What is the effect of cultism on social cohesion in Selected Public Universities in Nigeria?
2. To what extent does cultism influence social cohesion within the study area?
3. What challenges are associated with cultism in relation to social cohesion?
4. What strategies can be adopted to optimize cultism in order to improve social cohesion?

1.5 Significance of the Study

This study is significant to a range of stakeholders. For policymakers and regulators, the findings offer evidence to guide the design of frameworks that support healthier outcomes around social cohesion. For managers and practitioners within Selected Public Universities in Nigeria, the study provides practical insight into how cultism can be better managed. Finally, it contributes to the academic literature on sociology by extending existing knowledge into a specific empirical context, and offers a reference point for future researchers.

1.6 Scope of the Study

In terms of scope, this study confines itself to Selected Public Universities in Nigeria, focusing specifically on how cultism relates to social cohesion within that setting. Findings are interpreted within these boundaries rather than as universal claims applicable to every organization or market.