By Abubakar Imam
The management of the University of Ilorin has advocated stiffer measures against cultism and kidnapping in order to arrest the increasing incidences of the crimes across Kwara State.
This advocacy was made by the University while presenting a memorandum before the Kwara State House of Assembly Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Judiciary at a Public Hearing it organised last Monday (June 23, 2025) at the Assembly Complex to galvanise public opinions on the proposed “Secret Cults and Secret Societies (Prohibition) (Amendment) Bill, 2025; and the Kwara State Prohibition of Kidnapping (Amendment) Bill, 2025.
Presenting the memorandum before the lawmakers, the Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research, Technology and Innovation), Prof. Mukhtar Etudaiye, described the Bill as an instrument urgently needed for peace and tranquility to continue to reign across the state.
Prof. Egbewole expressed the displeasure of the University with the increasing threats of cultism and kidnapping on the society, particularly as they affect students and campus safety. He added that the University would support every legitimate measure targeted at eliminating the two crimes from Kwara State.
On cultism, Prof. Egbewole suggested an effective collaboration between each institution of higher learning and security agencies to curb campus recruitment by cult groups.
He also proposed a mandatory orientation programme on cultism for all new students as he suggested adequate legal backing for internal Anti-Cult Units and protection for whistleblowers either in existence or to be created by each of the institutions of higher learning in the state.
Prof. Egbewole, who is also the Chairman of the Consortium of Kwara Universities (KU8), also called for the provision of mental health and rehabilitation support for victims and reformed cultists.
He equally suggested the staging of an annual statewide anti-cultism awareness campaign in schools to dissuade innocent students from joining secret societies.
On kidnapping, the renowned legal luminary said that the enhancement of campus and hostel security infrastructure would assist greatly in eliminating the scourge.
He also canvassed the introduction of 24-hour emergency reporting hotlines and stronger informant protection as well as the introduction of reward systems to encourage swift reportage of incidences.
To further address the scourge of kidnapping, Prof. Egbewole suggested the introduction of virtual court testimonies for the protection of innocent students and witnesses.
The Vice Chancellor, who is also the Secretary-General of the Association of West African Universities (AWAU), similarly called for the labeling of cyber-enabled kidnapping in the law as an offence. He also suggested the promotion of digital safety education in the interest of all.
Prof. Egbewole, who thanked the House of Assembly for the opportunity, reaffirmed the commitment of the University to partnering the state government and other stakeholders in creating a safer educational environment. He urged the House of Assembly to consider the suggested reforms for implementation in order to ensure that the laws are effective, practical, and beneficial to the academic community.
Responding, the Chairman of the House Committee, Hon. Ganiyu Folabi Salahu, thanked the University of Ilorin for its professional and thought-provoking presentation.
The lawmaker added that he was not surprised that only the University of Ilorin honoured the invitation of the House, saying that the University has again confirmed its leadership position.
Hon. Salahu promised that the memorandum would be exhaustively considered with a view to enriching the Bill with the insights of the University.
The representative of the Vice Chancellor was accompanied to the event by the Ag. Head of the University’s Legal Unit, Mrs Faridah Sheriff; a Chief Legal Officer, Mr Abdulmumini Yusuf; and a Principal Legal Officer, Mr Abdulhakeem Owolabi; among others.
