Abstract In a survey of plant parasitic nematodes associated with or affecting rice throughout Nigeria, some important nematode pests, especially the white tip disease nematode, Aphelenchoides besseyi and the rice root nematodes Hirschmanniella spinicaudata and H. oryzae were identified from seed, soil and root samples from swamp rice fields respectively. The sugarcane cyst nematode, Heterodera sacchari occurred in swamp rice fields only around the major sugarcane estates in Nigeria. The root‐knot Meloidogyne incognita and the root lesion nematode, Pratylenchus brachyurus were also encountered in upland (rainfed) rice fields. The white tip disease nematode, A. besseyi occurred at low levels in soils and rice seeds throughout the country. High population levels of H. spinicaudata and H. oryzae were encountered especially in areas where monoculture of rice is practised. General chlorosis, poor tillering and significantly reduced yield have been observed due to H. spinicaudata. Rice plants attacked by H. sac...