Assessment of Land Use Change and Its Implications for Food Security in Kano Metropolis, North West Nigeria

Land use change in rapidly urbanising regions poses significant threats to agricultural productivity and food security. This study examines the spatial and temporal patterns of land use change in Kano Metropolis between 2015 and 2024, with particular focus on the conversion of farmland to residential and commercial uses. Using Landsat satellite imagery, supervised classification techniques, and field survey data, the research maps and quantifies shifts in land cover across four Local Government Areas within the metropolis. A structured questionnaire administered to 150 farming households captures household-level food security indicators using the Food Insecurity Experience Scale. Findings reveal that over 38 percent of formerly agricultural land has been converted to built-up areas within the study period, with the highest rates of change recorded in peri-urban fringes. This conversion is strongly associated with declining crop yields and increased food expenditure among affected households. The study further identifies population growth, speculative land acquisition, and weak land tenure enforcement as primary drivers of conversion. Recommendations focus on strengthening land use planning regulations, establishing urban agricultural zones, and improving smallholder access to non-farm income alternatives. The research contributes baseline data for evidence-based land governance in Northern Nigerian cities experiencing rapid population growth. Keywords: land use change, food security, urbanisation, Kano, remote sensing.