Topsoil removal by gravel speculators poses a danger of soil degradation especially in sloppy terrains. A study was carried out on artificially degraded soil at the Research Farm, University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, south-western Nigeria, to evaluate the changes in soil chemical properties after maize planting with application of fertilizer and manure as amendments. The experiment was designed as a 3 by 3 factorial in randomized complete block with three replicates. Two levels of degraded (15 cm and 25 cm depth) and undegraded (control) plots constituted a factor while application of inorganic fertilizer and manure as amendments, and unamended plots constituted the second factor. Chemical analyses were carried out for soil pH, organic C, exchangeable cations, exchange acidity, available P both before and after cropping. Biological activities were assessed using soil microarthropod population, litter decomposition, nutrient release, and N mineralization and nitrification. Results show general reduction in exchangeable cations and changes in other chemical properties due to topsoil removal. However, application of nutrient amendments increased the organic C, exchangeable cations (Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺), and available P of the soil. Manure generally performed better than inorganic fertilizer. Fertilizer application reduced soil pH and also accelerated nitrification compared to manure and no amendment. Results showed that organic amendments hold better promise for soil restoration and sustainable crop production.