This study was carried out in one of the local government areas in the southwestern part of Nigeria. Its
aim is to highlight the causes and characteristics of gullies, and their effects in the area. Gullies in the
local government headquarter; the most developed area, and three other rural areas; with varying
degree of rurality were studied. Measurements were done in the dry season, at intervals of 10 m (less
where gully length was shorter than 20 m) using convectional surveying equipments. Mean gully depths
measured at gully shoulders were obtained at the beginning, middle and end of cross-sections. A total
of 14 gullies were studied; 8 at Ode Irele (LGA Hq), 4 at Akotogbo, and 1 each from Ajagba and Lipanu.
The gullies at Ode-Irele were significantly different from others, especially in terms of the length and
width (p< 0.05). In addition while Order 1 gully system dominated study area, an Order 3 and two Order
2 gullies were cited in Ode – Irele. The study concluded that unsustainable development is a
complementary agent of erosion in the built up area, in addition to the soil characteristics that has been
identified by similar study in the southeastern Nigeria. The study attributed the aggravation of gully
process in built – up environments.