The phosphorus status of twenty-one selected soils from various parts of Nigeria was studied. Total P content in the surface soils studied ranged widely from 120 to 1880 ppm. In most cases, the relative abundance of the various fractions of inorganic P was in the order of occluded P ≫ Fe-P > Al-P ≥ Ca-P. The distribution of various P forms was related to the parent material, degree of weathering, and drainage conditions of the soils. Organic P constituted more than half of the total P in most of the forest soils. Multiple correlation showed that organic P content was significantly correlated with soil pH, organic carbon content and total P content in the soils.