Urban Agglomeration in Nigeria: A Review of Spatial Growth Modelling and Implications for Environmental Management and Sustainable Development

Abstract

The objective of this review paper is to systematically examine spatial growth modelling and its implications for environmental management and sustainable development in Nigeria through a synthesis of peer-reviewed literature. The study adopts a systematic review approach based on structured evidence-based reporting principles to synthesize metadata from geospatial and urban studies. Nigeria’s rapid urban agglomeration, driven by population growth, rural-urban migration, and socioeconomic dynamics, has significantly transformed spatial development patterns. The review reveals that geospatial techniques, such as remote sensing and geographic information systems, have been extensively applied to monitor and analyze urban expansion, each demonstrating varying strengths and limitations in analyzing spatial dynamics. The findings reveal that urban growth is influenced by interrelated demographic, economic, and spatial drivers that contribute to urban sprawl, loss of agricultural land, environmental degradation, and several socioeconomic challenges. Furthermore, the review highlights critical gaps that include the lack of integrated spatial modelling frameworks, inconsistencies in data quality, and weak alignment between geospatial studies and policy implementation. The study concludes that there is an urgent need for a comprehensive and sustainable framework that integrates spatial modelling, strategic planning, and data-driven decision-making. Future research should therefore focus on developing standardized methodologies and strengthening the link between geospatial studies and urban policy to achieve more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable built environments.