Praetorians and school climate in Lagos-based higher schools

Abstract

This investigation views insecurity in tertiary institutions as a product of the socialization process.
Following Truman’s exposition, it therefore uses the group theory as the basis for analyzing issues of
safety in some higher schools in Lagos State. It identifies the armed group, revealing the fact that there
are many variants. It argues that like all other organizations in the larger society, the group sets out to
attain four functions necessary for organizational effectiveness and survival. These are goal
achievement, integration, adaptation and latency. The methods adopted for the study are basically the
use of questionnaire, observation and interview of students, former students and some members of
staff of some selected tertiary institutions in Lagos State, as well as some people outside the school
system. Some of the inhibitions such as inadequate funding, fear of being attacked and issue of
godfathers, among many others, are chronicled and palpable panacea proffered before reaching the
conclusion that, a bit of military involvement is the veritable desideratum to ensure safety of lives in
Nigerian tertiary schools.