Impact of Urbanization on Food Security in Lafia Local Government Area, Nasarawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

Urbanization is rapidly transforming landscapes across Sub-Saharan Africa, with significant implications for food security. This study examines the impact of urbanization on food security in Lafia Local Government Area, Nasarawa State, Nigeria, over a 40-year period (1984–2024). Using a mixed-methods approach integrating GIS/remote sensing analysis with household survey data (n=400), the research identifies spatial patterns of land use/land cover change, determines the extent of agricultural land conversion, and estimates the socioeconomic determinants of household food security. Findings reveal substantial urban expansion, with built-up areas increasing from 193,240 hectares in 1984 to 1,043,553 hectares in 2024, while farmland declined from 5,822,596 to 2,370,561 hectares over the same period. Logistic regression analysis identified annual income (p<0.01) and cooperative membership (p<0.01) as significant positive determinants of food security, with the model explaining 49% of variation in food security status. The study concludes that rapid urbanization has profoundly undermined local food production capacity and recommends integrated land-use planning, strengthening of cooperative societies, and food-sensitive urban policies to balance urban growth with agricultural sustainability.