Heavy metals concentrations in water and sediments in the Qua Iboe river Estuary in Nigeria was investigated by analyzing sediment and water samples for their Cd, Ni, Pb and V concentrations using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The results obtained indicated that the concentrations of the studied heavy metals samples were below the WHO pollution limits with maximum values of 0.003 mg/l for Cd, 0.143 mg/l for Ni, 0.040 mg/l for Pb and 0.102 mg/l for V in the water samples. Concentrations of the heavy metals in the sediment were significantly higher than the values in the water samples (P < 0.05) and exhibited between levels of concentration in water and sediment, except for Pb. However, the background concentrations of the studied heavy metals may exceed these limits in the future if control measures are not implemented because oil exploration has the potential of increasing the concentrations of heavy metals in the Estuary. The author also recommended the control of industrial activities within the coastal area.