Urban centers in Nigeria are becoming dysfunctional - a situation that threatens our environmental values. This study, examines the pattern, process and problems of these societies which experience rapid urban development pressure on account of high population growth and decentralization of governance in the form of states and local government creations. The study adopts extensive review of literature and findings reveal that Nigeria records very high level of urbanization and pollution, lacks effective cultural and physical planning policies, mismanages its urban open spaces, without adequate personnel to plan and organize the urban environments. Recommendations were made on ways of restoring these environmental values through effective planning of urban centers in Nigeria.