Few fungi strains are known to degrade crude oil and other organic pollutants. The primary aim of this study was therefore to isolate crude oil degrading fungi from impacted soil samples from the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Collected soil samples were analyzed for physicochemical parameters, total aerobic heterotrophic fungi, characterization of isolates and crude oil utilization using standard microbiology techniques. The results indicate that the physicochemical parameters of the soil and sediments samples varied significantly with iron and nickel above permissible limits. Aerobic fungi counts ranged from 1.9 to 4.0 (x105 ) CFU/g. Fungi isolates capable of degrading crude oil were identified using molecular techniques were Aspergillus niger, Trichoderma asperellum, Aspergillus oryzae and Penicillium commune.

Keywords : Crude Oil, Fungi, Biodegradation, Heavy Metals.