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.

Key words: Military, effectiveness, integration, adaptation and latency.