Abstract: Farmers would adopt fertilizer recommendations that are based on soil fertility information in order to realize the potentials for high maize yields offer by features of the savannah zone. Surface (0-15 cm) samples of soil formed on basement complex rocks in the derived and guinea savannah zone of south-western Nigeria were analysed and nutrient status evaluated in relation to established critical levels. Sample of four commonest soil series used to evaluate response to addition of single nutrient: 100 mg N, 25 mg P, 20 mg Mg, 5 mg Fe, 5 mg Zn and 2.5 mg Cu L-1 using dry weight of maize grown for weeks in greenhouse pot studies. Maize grain yield responses to treatments that consisted of N, P, K, NP, NK, PK, NPK, NPKMg, NPKMgFeCuZn and unfertilized control were studied in four sites. The second field study in eight sites involved comparison of maize grain yield obtained from two treatments: + and - respective nutrients. The results indicated that soils are slightly acid to neutral sands and loams with very low to high organic matter and total N, low to medium exchangeable cations, low available P, Cu and Zn while Mn and Fe are high. The order of maize response was N, Mg followed by K, Zn and P in the greenhouse, single application of N fertilizer gave high response while responses to P and K were low where soils exceeded respective established critical nutrient levels. Yield response were enhanced with fertilizer combinations that contained N, P and Mg. The primary needs are N, P and Mg fertilizer soon after opening up the land for cultivation from short fallows. After year of continuous cropping, K is needed while addition of Cu and Zn would produce higher yields on plots that received NPK fertilizers. The higher correlations with nutrient show that management recommendation must emphasize the need to raise and maintain soil organic matter levels, to ensure nutrient availability and increase response to fertilizers.