POPULATION GROWTH AND LAND USE CHANGE IN BENUE STATE: IMPLICATION FOR SOCIAL SECURITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN SANKERA (2001 – 2023)

Abstract

The Earth’s environment has become progressively configured by multipleland use and land cover changes, which are all products of global intensification inanthropogenic activities relative to sustained population growth over space and time. Thispaper uses a frequency distribution table, simple percentages, t-test, correlation statistics,geographic information system (GIS) and remote sensing as techniques for data analysis toexamine the phenomenon of population growth against the background of land use and landcover changes in the Sankera Geographical District of Benue State. These variables areexamined in relation to their implications for social security and economic development.Primary data were obtained through the administration of 180 questionnaires via multi-stagesampling, field surveys and photo elicitation as well as key informant’s interview (KIIs). Thesecondary data were sourced from journal articles with related focuses. The study revealedthat there has been significant growth in the size of the population in the study area from2001-2023, which is a combined function of excess fertility over mortality as well asmigration. Similarly, the results of this study show that population growth in the study areahas significantly impacted land use and cover changes, with adverse effects on social securityand economic development. The paper accordingly recommends that effective familyplanning measures be made available for intending users, the adoption of more effective landuse policies, agricultural mechanization and the pursuit of greater security to protect thevulnerable population in the locality.