Benthic macro-invertebrates of the Northern axis of metropolitan segment of Lagos Lagoon sediments, Nigeria were investigated for six months (April –September, 2010). The study was aimed at using benthic macro-invertebrates to assess the water quality of this part of the Lagoon. A total of ten taxa belonging to three major animal phyla from a total of 2,672 individuals were encountered. The dominant taxa throughout the study and stations were
Pachymelania aurita
,
Aloidis trigona
, and
Neritina glabrata
. Station A (Ikorodu port) had seven taxa, station B (Ibese) had five while stations C (Ofin) and D (Oreta) had eight taxa each. Stations A(Ikorodu port), B(Ibese), C(Ofin) and D(Oreta) accounted for 8.19%, 0.94%, 79.83% and 11.04% respectively in all the individuals collected. Gastropoda was highest and accounted for 54.83% of all individuals collected from all stations contributing 2.58% at station A and 0.49%, 48.39% and 3.37% respectively at stations B, C and D, while Polychaeta had the least (0.97%) with station A, B, C and D constituted 0.82%, 0.04%, 0.04% and 0.07% respectively. Sediment type of the study areas was predominantly muddy sand. The presence of more pollution tolerant species (
Nereis
spp,
Capitella capitata
and
Polydora ciliata
) in station A may serve to confirm that the community has been impacted by pollution. The low faunal abundance and diversity observed in station B could be attributed to stress imposed by effluents from industrial sources. The information of this study will be very useful in formulating policies and regulatory framework for sustainable management of Lagos Lagoon.
