Application of Geographic Information Systems in Urban Land Use Planning: Evidence from Oyo State Ministry of Lands

Geographic information systems have become indispensable tools for urban planners seeking to manage land use dynamics in rapidly growing Nigerian cities, yet their integration into government planning agencies remains uneven. This study examines the application of geographic information systems in urban land use planning at the Oyo State Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, with a focus on Ibadan, the South West's largest city. A survey of 60 planning officers and GIS analysts at the ministry was complemented by document analysis of land use maps, zoning approvals, and infrastructure siting decisions made between 2020 and 2024. The study finds that GIS tools are used in approximately 47 percent of planning decisions, primarily for boundary delineation and land parcel identification, but are rarely applied for spatial analysis of infrastructure gaps or environmental risk assessment. Key constraints include insufficient GIS-trained personnel, outdated satellite imagery, and limited integration between the ministry's GIS data and records from the State Survey Department. The research proposes a GIS Application Integration Framework for Nigerian land administration agencies that addresses interoperability, data currency, and analytical capacity building. Recommendations include a three-year ministerial GIS capacity development programme funded through the federal Urban Development Bank. Keywords: GIS, urban land use planning, Oyo State, spatial analysis, land administration.