Spatial Analysis of Population Growth and Its Environmental Implications in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State

Rapid population growth in Uyo, the capital city of Akwa Ibom State, driven by administrative primacy, oil sector employment, and rural-urban migration, is generating mounting pressure on urban land, vegetation cover, water resources, and waste management systems. This study analyses population growth patterns and their environmental implications in Uyo over the period 2013 to 2023 using census projection data, satellite-derived land cover change analysis, and primary household surveys. Landsat imagery was classified to quantify built-up area expansion and green space loss over the study period, while field surveys assessed waste generation rates, stormwater drainage adequacy, and water supply coverage across different residential density zones. A questionnaire survey of 190 households across four wards provided household-level data on environmental service quality and pollution exposure. Findings reveal that built-up area in Uyo expanded by approximately 38 percent between 2013 and 2023, accompanied by a 24 percent reduction in vegetated surface area within the municipal boundary. Waste generation rates have outpaced collection capacity, with 46 percent of surveyed households reporting daily uncollected waste accumulation. Population growth has also intensified pressure on the Calabar Road water supply infrastructure, with average per capita supply declining from 65 to 34 litres per day according to Akwa Ibom State Water Corporation records. Recommendations include integration of population projection scenarios into Uyo Master Plan revisions, environmental impact requirements for new developments, and capacity expansion of waste collection systems. Keywords: population growth, urbanisation, Uyo, land cover change, urban environmental management.