Abstract: Heavy metals in surface soils under waste dumps in Onitsha metropolis was investigated from Onitsha metropolis. Seven metals, namely arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, manganese, lead and lithium were considered. Analytical determinations were performed by atomic absorption spectrometry after sample digestion with acid mixture. Elevated concentrations of the aforementioned metals were obtained in this study. All metals were detected except for the background, soil sample from Inland town where chromium and lead were below detection limit. There were variations in the concentrations of metals in soils from various locations. Metal concentrations in soils obtained from Omagba phase II, Woliwo layout, Fegge road, Head bridge, Odoakbu layout, Awada layout and Isiafor layout were higher than those from Ozala layout and Inland town (Background soil samples). The highest concentrations of the contaminant metals found in soil located near the head bridge of River Niger. The sources of these metals were attributed to the industrial and anthropogenic wastes in various sample locations.