Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Agricultural Land Loss and Urban  Expansion in Anambra State, Nigeria (1994–2024)

Igbokwe, J.I; Ejikeme, J.O; Obi, C.E

Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Agricultural Land Loss and Urban Expansion in Anambra State, Nigeria (1994–2024)

Author

Igbokwe, J.I., Ejikeme, J.O., Obi, C.E

Abstract

Rapid urban expansion increasingly competes with agricultural land in developing regions where population growth, infrastructure development, and changing land markets intensify pressure on finite land resources. This study examined the spatiotemporal dynamics of agricultural land loss and urban expansion in Anambra State, Nigeria, between 1994 and 2024. Multi-temporal remotely sensed imagery for 1994, 2004, 2014, and 2024 was classified using the Support Vector Machine algorithm into waterbody, dense forest, agricultural land, built-up area, and bare ground. Post-classification analysis quantified land-use extent, net changes, temporal trends, and the spatial concentration of agricultural land loss and persistence across the twenty-one Local Government Areas. Agricultural land declined consistently from 1,443.30 km² in 1994 to 1,303.90 km² in 2004, 1,210.00 km² in 2014, and 1,000.26 km² in 2024, representing a net loss of 443.04 km² (30.70%). Conversely, built-up area increased from 902.45 to 1,878.69 km², representing a net gain of 976.24 km². Agricultural land loss was concentrated around major urban and industrial centres, whereas substantial persistence occurred within predominantly rural LGAs. The findings demonstrate an increasing spatial competition between urban development and agricultural landscapes and highlight the need to incorporate agricultural land protection into regional land-use planning.

Keywords

agricultural land loss; urban expansion; land-use change; remote sensing; GIS; Anambra State; spatiotemporal analysis

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References

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VOLUME 7, ISSUE 10 October 2026

Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Agricultural Land Loss and Urban Expansion in Anambra State, Nigeria (1994–2024)