Abstract: Soil erosion problems at the headwater of Ala watershed which drains a rural community north of akure, southwestern Nigeria, was investigated. The watershed was listed as one of the focal points of UNDP`s programme on Sustainable Agriculture, Environment and Rural Development in Nigeria. Baseline survey of the watershed reveals that the following environmental factors contributed to the observed erosion problems: Long, gentle to relatively steep slopes; low infiltration capacity; heavy and prolonged rainfall; highly erodible soils; inadequate and blocked storm drains and unplanned land use types. Indicators of soil erosion identified in the area also include: Detrital materials and coarse sand deposits; bare unvegitated surfaces devoid of top soil; stone capping of soil pedestals; exposed building foundations. These factors and indicators have combined to produce rapidly incising gully systems along some long slopes. At some midslopes and southern basal positions currently being opened-up for various developments, small and few storm drains have promoted sheet erosion and street floods that often inadequate built-up areas. On the basis of baseline data collected, good management practices and strategies for soil erosion control and conversation that also fosters social awareness on the problems were suggested with the hope that they will help restore the degrading land to a more productive use.