OBJECTIVES: Hypertension is a public health problem worldwide, but the prevalence in Amassoma, which hosts the Niger Delta University, is not known. The objective of the study was to investigate the prevalence of hypertension in the locality and the extent of control in diagnosed cases.  METHODS: Four hundred adults selected through stratified sampling across the various compounds called “AMA” and aged 20 years and above were included. It took place in between February and May 2011.It involves interviewer administered questionnaires on demographics, predisposing factors and relevant medication history and measurement  of respondents’ blood pressure (BP) (on two separate occasions), weight and height. The Body Mass Index (BMI) calculated and the data were appropriately analysed. RESULTS: Majority of respondents were female.  Almost half of respondents (46.5%) had their BMI above normal, 15.3% (61) of which falls within the obese region (>30.0kg/m2).  Crude prevalence rate of hypertension ( BP of > 140/90 mmHg)in the community was 15.0% (60) out of which 13.8 % (55) were previously diagnosed. The hypertension was that of Stage I (140-159/90-99mmHg) in 11.5% (46) and Stage II (>160/100 mmHg) in 3.5% (14). About half (51.0%) of previously diagnosed cases (n=55) were on any form of drug or the other. Another 23.5%  had their BP in pre-hypertensive stage (120-139/80-89 mmHg). The prevalence rate among  40 years and above was 10.5%. There was no statistically significant difference between both sexes (χ2; p=0.241), with 12.5% (n=240) in females and 18.7% (n=140) in male respondents.  The variation of BP among the various age groups was not significant (p=0.399; ANOVA).   CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of hypertension in Amassoma community of Southern Ijaw, Bayelsa State is 15.0% with a pre-hypertension in another 23.5% of the community. There is poor control of BP among previously diagnosed hypertensive patients.