Abstract: In a study of the prevalence of trypanosomiasis in ruminants in five regions of Abia State, Nigeria surveys were carried out at Isiukwuato, Ikwuano, Ohafia, Isiala Ngwa and Umuahia South Local Government areas. About 1361 ruminants made up of 405 cattle, 81 goats and 67 sheep were sampled monthly from April 2003-March 2004. Blood samples were examined for trypanosomes using the Giemsa stained thick and thin smear method. The results showed that the overall prevalence of trypanosomiasis in the State was 1.9%. The prevalences in the different ruminant species were 3.7% in cattle, 1.2% in goats and 1.1% in sheep. Infection was lower (p<0.05) in animals resident in the State than those from semi-nomadic and slaughter houses. The overall difference in gender and age related infection were not obvious. Among the infected animals, 11 (42.3%) and 15 (57.7%) were due to T. congolense and T. vivax, respectively. T. vivax was the leading species encountered in cattle while T. congolense was more predominant in small ruminants. The result shows that the number of animals infected is significantly (p<0.001) dependent on time of the year, location sampled (χ² = 18.47, df = 4, p<0.001) and animal species (χ² = 7.89, df = 2, p<0.05). This study brings to light that ruminants in the study area have low trypanosome infections and also confirms earlier observations by other researchers that goats and sheep which are exposed to a similar tsetse challenge as cattle are significantly less infected with trypanosomes than the latter.