Physico-chemical parameters of water are major factors limiting optimum agricultural yield in irrigated

agriculture especially practiced in arid and semi-arid areas like Sokoto Basin, Nigeria. Some vital quality

parameters of the groundwater of Gwandu Formation a Continental Terminal of Sokoto Basin were

evaluated for the criteria of irrigation water suitability. Twenty eight water samples were collected from

existing wells in July 2013 and April 2014 from different locations in Gwandu Formation (Eocene)

covering Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States, which constitutes Sokoto Basin and were subjected to

physicochemical analyses.The physicochemical analysis conducted on the representative water samples

of Gwandu Formation were in accordance with standard procedure. The electrical conductivity (EC)

value of water of the study area ranges from 10.9 to 760.0μ½/cm (mean =164.93μ½/cm). The total

dissolved solid (TDS) values range from 0.00 to 536.63ppm (mean= 116.08ppm). The studyrevealed

thatEC,and TDS, evaluated were suitable for irrigation. Besides, the results realized from advance

assessment and evaluation of physicochemical parameters for Residual Sodium Carbonate (RSC),

Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR),and Soluble Sodium Percentage (SSP), water quality variables, were

found within the permissible limits for irrigation purposes. The RSC value obtained varies from -1.73 to

1.12meq/L (mean= -0.21meq/L), while the values of SAR of the water samples range from 0.02 to

1.82meq/L with an average value of 0.45meq/L, and SSP values were found to vary from 5.34 to 75.1%

with a mean of 34.14%. Ground water development of Gwandu Formation, the Continental Terminal of

Sokoto Basin via planned irrigation projectsis therefore recommended.

Key Words: Nigeria, Irrigation, and Physico-Chemical Water Parameters