The effect of spent lubricating oil (SLO) pollution on soil nutrient and heavy metal content and growth of cowpeas (Vigna unguiculata Walpers) was investigated using potted plants in soils contaminated with different concentrations of SLO. The result showed that the concentration of SLO inhibited or significantly reduced plant height, laminar leaf area, number of leaves and shoot dry weight. Generally, the concentration of SLO had no significant effect on soil macro nutrients (N, P, K and magnesium) and concentrations of heavy metals (Cu, Ni, Pb) but they significantly increased the total hydrocarbon content of the soil. The treatments also had no significant effect on the soil physical properties (pH, % clay, % silt and % sand).