URBAN ENCROACHMENT ON AGRICULTURAL LAND IN ABEOKUTA NORTH, SOUTHWESTERN NIGERIA: GEOSPATIAL ASSESSMENT AND RESIDENTS’ PERCEPTION OF LAND USEN CHANGE

Abstract

Urban encroachment has become a growing concern in developing regions, particularly in fast-urbanizing 
areas where agricultural land is being lost to residential and industrial development. This study investigates 
the extent, patterns, and drivers of urban encroachment on agricultural land in Abeokuta North Local 
Government Area, Ogun State. The objectives include examining the socio-economic characteristics of 
residents, analyzing land use and land cover changes between 1994 and 2024, assessing the effects of urban 
encroachment on agriculture, and identifying the major factors driving land conversion in the area. A 
descriptive survey design was adopted, and data were collected through structured questionnaires 
administered to 75 randomly selected residents. Geospatial analysis using Landsat satellite imagery for the 
years 1994, 2004, 2014, and 2024 was used to assess land cover changes. Descriptive statistics, one-sample t
test, and ANOVA were employed for data analysis using SPSS. Findings reveal that residential land use is 
dominant (60%), with 72% of respondents noting significant land use change over two decades. Built-up areas 
increased by 10% between 1994 and 2024, while agricultural land declined to 66% of total area. Urban 
encroachment was found to significantly reduce agricultural productivity, with 60% confirming reduced 
farmland and 64% reporting that some farmers had abandoned agriculture. The one-sample t-test (t = 52.299, 
p < 0.05) confirmed a significant reduction in agricultural land, while ANOVA (F = 248.18, p = 0.000) 
revealed significant variation in land use patterns. Key drivers identified include population growth, poor 
planning, housing demand, industrialization, and weak policies. The study concluded that urban encroachment 
poses a significant threat to agricultural sustainability and food security in Abeokuta North. It recommends the 
enforcement of land use zoning regulations, farmland conservation policies, public awareness campaigns, and 
promotion of vertical urban development to ensure balanced urban growth.