Bank distress is a phenomenon which involves poor liquidity, under capitalization, maturity obligations of deposits, excessive growth (over - trading) and lack of regulation, supervision and politicization. The phenomenon surfaced in the Nigerian Banking system in 1930 when about twenty one (21) banks failures were recorded prior to the establishment of the Central Bank of Nigeria in 1958, resumed in the fifties and nineties and in recent times has re-surfaced.(CBN 1968, Anyahuru 2001). This study was carried out in order to identify the causes of repeated bank distress and its effects on the Agricultural sector of the Nigerian economy and to identify ways of preventing future occurrence. The study involved ten banks from Abuja the Federal Capital Territory using well structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were employed in the presentation of the data while the Chi - Square(X2) figures was adopted for the purpose of data analysis. The result of the study shows that the major causes of bank distress in Nigeria include poor quality management, bad loans and advances and fraudulent practices. The effects of such distress are bank ruins, demonetizations and erosion of public confidence among others. The vital conclusion drawn from the study is that whereas it is not possible to have distress - free banking system, it can be reduced or managed such that the pains of distress can be spread. The responsibility for sound banking practice rests squarely on the management, the board and the government. It is therefore expedient to adopt a resolution strategy that will help to ensure a stable banking system and engender public confidence in the industry.