The increasing urban sprawl in most cities in developing countries continues to attract attention of
national and international agencies but the efforts had not achieved much result at checking the sprawl. There is the
need therefore to re-evaluate these efforts and make necessary suggestions that would reverse the trend. This study
investigates the problems of urban sprawl in Nigeria. It utilizes published and unpublished materials as well as sundry
informal investigations (i.e. observations) of the stakeholders in the development and management of urban sprawl
in Nigerian cities. The paper presents the urbanization trends in Nigeria and discusses the characteristic features of
urban sprawl in its cities as well as identifies the various factors responsible for the urban sprawl. It evaluates strategies
adopted so far at curtailing the sprawl. A major limitation of the various strategies adopted is the inadequate
involvement of the people (developers) at checking the sprawl. The paper therefore suggests a people-oriented
strategy in checking urban sprawl in Nigerian cities; which is expected to be facilitated by the government planning
officials.