Applying GIS for Land Use Planning and Environmental Management in Oyo State

Effective land use planning and environmental management in rapidly urbanising Nigerian states require the systematic integration of geospatial tools to support evidence-based decision-making at the local and state levels. This study applies Geographic Information Systems to assess current land use patterns, identify planning conflicts, and propose spatially informed environmental management frameworks for selected local government areas in Oyo State in Nigeria's South West geopolitical zone. Multi-source spatial data including cadastral records, Sentinel-2 satellite imagery, road network datasets, and environmental sensitivity maps were integrated within ArcGIS Pro to produce a composite land suitability analysis. Zones of planning conflict between approved land uses and observed development activity were delineated and verified through field inspection in Oluyole, Egbeda, and Akinyele local government areas. The study further applies spatial multicriteria evaluation to identify sites suitable for conservation reserves, agricultural intensification, and planned residential expansion based on soil quality, slope, flood risk, and proximity to services. Key informant interviews with Oyo State land officers, urban planners, and environmental officers provided institutional context for interpreting planning failures and opportunities. Results identify significant unauthorised conversion of gazetted agricultural reserves in the Akinyele corridor and systematic encroachment on Oyo State Forest Reserve boundaries by residential estate developers. The study recommends the institutionalisation of GIS-based land use monitoring systems within Oyo State's planning authorities and the adoption of digital master plan review workflows to improve enforcement effectiveness. Keywords: GIS, land use planning, Oyo State, environmental management, South West Nigeria.