AN EXAMINATION OF SOCIETAL INFLUENCE ON YOUTH RITUALISM

ABSTRACT: The main objective of this study is to analyse the impact of societal influence on youth ritualism, with a specific focus on the case of Micheal Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike. The chosen research design for this study is the survey method for collecting data. The purpose of using a questionnaire is to gather people's opinions. The research utilised a purposive sampling technique for sampling. The researchers intentionally chose 150 respondents who are students of Micheal Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike as the sample size for the study. A self-structured questionnaire was distributed to the respondents, and a total of 141 responses were collected and validated for the study.  The data was analysed using basic percentage calculations and presented in frequency tables to address the research questions. The findings of this study indicate that there is a high level of youth involvement in ritual killing. The societal factors that contribute to this involvement include peer pressure and the desire to get rich quickly. Additionally, media framing, such as home films and social media, plays a role, as well as factors within the home environment, such as parental influence and sibling expectations. The belief system, including cultural and religious indoctrination, also influences youth involvemen The study suggests that punishment for ritualists should not be exempted for any reason. It is important for the government, civil societies, and non-governmental organisations to recognise ritual killing as a harmful tradition. They should prioritise including it in their programmes and conduct campaigns to raise awareness about the ignorance, superstition, and underlying beliefs that drive this practise in Nigeria.