AIMS: To evaluate the role of subcutaneous tissue closure in relation to wound infection after cesarean section in obese patients. MATERIALS AND METHOD: A randomized controlled trial in a specialist hospital in Benin City. 232 patients with body mass index greater than 30kg/m2 or weight greater than 90kg were randomized into closure and non closure group. In 116 patients, subcutaneous tissue was closed using plain catgut 2-0 while the subcutaneous tissue was not closed in patients in the non closure group. RESULTS: Wound infection was found in 24 patients (20.7%) in the closure group as compared to 35(30.2%) in the non closure group which was not statistically significant (p value=0.09). Wound dehiscence was however observed in 14(13.7%) patients in the closure group as compared to 28(24.2%) in the non closure group which was statistically significant(p value=0.04). There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of post operative fever and anaemia. CONCLUSION: Closure of subcutaneous tissue during cesarean delivery in obese women has no significant effect on wound infection but significantly lowers the risk of wound dehiscence.