NDVI-Based Assessment of Land Cover Change and Urban Expansion in Benin City, Nigeria (2014 – 2024)

This study applies the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), one of the most widely used indices for vegetation monitoring, to examine Land Use Land Cover (LULC) changes in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria, focusing on Oredo, Egor, and Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Areas over a 10-year period (2014–2024). Using Landsat 8 Level-2 imagery, NDVI values were derived from the near-infrared and red bands and reclassified into LULC categories through color slicing. The study mapped and quantified transitions in three classes: built-up area/bare soil, sparse vegetation/exposed soil, and moderate vegetation. Results indicate a significant increase in built-up areas from 14.17% in 2014 to 45.03% in 2024, accompanied by a steep decline in moderate vegetation from 42.88% to 0.4%. Sparse vegetation showed a marginal increase, suggesting land degradation. Key drivers include urbanization, deforestation, and infrastructure development. The findings emphasize the need to urgently implement sustainable land management, including urban planning, reforestation, and environmental regulation, as NDVI-based statistics and projections reveal a marked shift in land cover over the decade.