Soil structure of fragile ecosystems should be monitored frequently for soil pore rigidity and aggregate stability. We studied four soil profiles in Eastern Nigeria that are loose, porous, highly weathered and deep in order to characterize their aggregate water stability upon drying and wetting and their relationship with soil properties. Mean-weight diameter of dry aggregates (MWDd) was largely determined by dry-stable aggregates (DSA) between 1-0.25 mm while the mean-weight diameter of water-stable aggregates (MWDw) was dominated by water-stable aggregates (WSA) between 0.5 to <0.25 mm. The permeability rates for the soils indicated that most horizons were within the moderately rapid to very rapid class. The MWDd correlated significantly with saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) (r = 0.68). The MWDw correlated negatively with bulk density (r= -0.65). The potential structural deformation index (PSDI) for the soils indicates that soil moisture contents, particle size distribution, soil organic matter (SOM), Ks, bulk density and CEC were soil factors that influenced it. To maintain good soil structure thereby reducing soil degradation, long term fallows or other farming practices that ensure steady maintenance of SOM are recommended.