Abstract

The review was conducted to comparatively assess the characterized and classified soils of North Central Nigeria. Five research articles were selected which reflect on the characterization and classification of soils of Minna, Jos, Lafia, Makurdi, and Ilorin. The findings of the review show that the horizons of the soils of the different locations have a near similarity in color, textural class, and horizon boundaries. The review shows that soils of Makurdi and Ilorin are dominated by sand particles while the soils ofJos, Minna, and Lafia are dominated by finer particles (silt and clay). The soil pH was observed to vary from strongly to moderately acidic in soils of Jos and Ilorin while that of the soils of Lafia, Makurdi, and Minna ranges from strongly acidic to neutral. The review observed that organic carbon content of the soils of Ilorin and Lafia are higher when compared with that of the soils of Makurdi, Jos, and Minna. The percentage base saturation was higher in soils of Lafia, Minna, and Makurdi while it was low in soils of Ilorin and Jos as reported. The selected soils of Makurdi, Minna, and Ilorin as classified shows similarity at suborder category known as ustalfs while selected soils of Minna and Jos are similar at great group level known as haplustepts. However, there is also similarity between selected soils of Makurdi and Lafia at suborder category known as aqualfs.