In Nigeria, a confraternity is a group that is nominally university-based, though 'street and creek' confraternities began in the 1990s. The first confraternity, the Pyrates Confraternity was created as a social organization for promising students. However, as new confraternities were formed, they became increasingly violent through the 1970s and 1980s. By the 1990s, many confraternities largely operated as criminal gangs, called "campus cults" in Nigeria. Besides normal criminal activity, confraternities have been linked to political violence, as well as the conflict in the Niger Delta. In no particular order, here are the "Top 7 Confraternities in Nigeria and their History" Pyrate Confraternity Ahoi-Seadog In 1952, Wole Soyinka and a group of six friends (Ralph Opara, Ikhehare Aig-Imokhuede, Sylvanus Egbuchie, Nathaniel Oyelola, Pius Oleghe, Olumuyiwa Awe) formed the Pyrate Confraternity at the elite University College, Ibadan, then part of the University of London. According to the Pyrates, the "Magnificent Seven", as they called themselves, observed that the university was populated with wealthy students associated with the colonial powers and a few poorer students striving in manner and dress to be accepted by the more advantaged students, while social life was dictated by tribal affiliation. Soyinka would later note that the Pyrates wanted to differentiate themselves from "stodgy establishment and its pretentious products in a new educational institution different from a culture of hypocritical and affluent middleclass, different from alienated colonial aristocrats". The organization also known as the National Association of Seadogs (NAS) adopted the motto "Against all conventions", the skull and crossbones as their logo, while members adopted confraternity names such as "Cap'n Blood" and "Long John Silver". When fellow students protested a proposal to build a railroad across the road leading to the university, fearing that easier transportation would make the university less exclusive, the Pyrates successfully ridiculed the argument as elitist. Roughly analogous to the fraternities and sororities of North America, the Pyrates Confraternity proved popular among students, even after the original members moved on. Membership was open to any promising male student, regardless of tribe or race, but selection was stringent and most applicants were denied. For almost 20 years, the Pyrates were the only confraternity on Nigerian campuses. Beliefs and sayings: Odas is Odas (010) No Friend, No Foe (NFNF) Absolute No Lagging (ANL) Members are known as: Ahoy, PC, etc

Supreme Vikings Confraternity (SVC) Aro-Mates The Supreme Vikings Confraternity (National Association of Adventurers or, alternately, De Norsemen Club of Nigeria) was formed by three young men 1982 who were former members of the Buccaneers at the University of Port Harcourt. They have the following code-names: Rising angel Eric De Red Troppence It was also called victory COSSA presently the Alpha Marine patrols. Beliefs and saying: Blood on the high sea Singing songs of Hojas Never to hang a leg Even in the face of death. Members are referred to as: Aro-mates, Adventurers, Vultures, e.t.c.

Confraternity Aye-Axemen The Neo-Black Movement of Africa (also called ) was formed at the University of Benin in Benin City in 1976 by some young men with the motive of building a body to fight against the oppression against Black men (Students) at the university. Those who initiated this association are rumoured to be runaways from Neo black Movement of Africa, an organization in South Africa that fought the apartheid war and escaped into Nigeria for safety. Investigation has shown that it was the borrowed notion that was imported to Nigeria. Some of their beliefs and saying includes: The Black man will be freed with an axe No phyuk ups Forgiveness is a sin Don’t betray your brother in the hood Obey before complain or Abeyance He who price must pay Members are referred to as: Aye Axe-men, Seven (7) or Amigos

Mafia Confraternity Ciao-Sons The Mafia Confraternity aka The Family Fraternity- COSANOSYRA was formed in 1978 at the University of Ilorin in Kwara State, but started operation in Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife in 1980. It started with eight ( persons in its mob (institution) called the ONO-BRIGADO (1st Brigade) with the first Don as Don KOOLKAT. This cult is styled after the notorious Chicago and Italian Mafia/Mob stars Some of their belief and sayings include: It is better for a bastard (non initiate) to chance/ provoke a member than for a numbered bastard (members of other cult group) Retaliation after oppression Secrecy is where our power lies They believe in gambling, partying, dating girls, etc. Members are referred to as: Maf or Mafians



Eternal Fraternal Order Of Legion Consortium Dedy na debt This cult was started by five students at the University of Calabar, Cross River State during the military era in 1983. Its ideals were borrowed from a cult in California and bears another name known as ETERNAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF LEGION CONSORTIUM or KLANSMEN KONFRATERNITY (KK). Members worship a demon called “Ogor” as their god. Symbolized by a human skull, mostly that of a mad/insane man. Their beliefs and sayings: The affairs of a klansman before any other thing in life What concerns a klansman concerns all klansmen Status of other cult members are not considered or relevant Oath of secrecy abide to all members Peaceful man in a deadly mood, disagree to agree Members are referred to as: Klansman or Klansmen

Eternal Fraternal Order Of Legion Consortium Dedy na debt This cult was started by five students at the University of Calabar, Cross River State during the military era in 1983. Its ideals were borrowed from a cult in California and bears another name known as ETERNAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF LEGION CONSORTIUM or KLANSMEN KONFRATERNITY (KK). Members worship a demon called “Ogor” as their god. Symbolized by a human skull, mostly that of a mad/insane man. Their beliefs and sayings: The affairs of a klansman before any other thing in life What concerns a klansman concerns all klansmen Status of other cult members are not considered or relevant Oath of secrecy abide to all members Peaceful man in a deadly mood, disagree to agree Members are referred to as: Klansman or Klansmen