It has been estimated that between 20 - 40% of global productivity are lost as a result of direct yield losses caused by pests and pathogen and if some of this food crops could be saved from pest attack, it could be used to feed the malnourished in the country. Plant parasitic nematodes are of such disease agent on many cultivated crops which are widely distributed throughout the world and are capable of causing damage to most, if not for all crops and their scourge has made it difficult to provide food in adequate quantity and of the right quality for the growing population of the nation.This paper reviews the general economic effect of plant parasitic nematode on food crops, the history and distribution in Nigeria also the possible control measures to checkmate root knot nematode menace in Nigeria with the view of increasing food production.