| Summary: | During the past two decades, in post economic reforms and developmental policy push period, Ebonyi state and its surrounding thirteen administrative regions has attracted a large number of populations which led to the rapid transformation of its LULC pattern. Therefore, this study is determine to analyze the LULC changes during 1996 and 2018, to evaluate the growth and pattern of built-up expansion in relation to the population growth, to identify and generate LULC change spatial map and to identify hotspot areas and generate priority map for quantification, prioritization and for expert recommendations that are sensitive to achieving social and environmental goals. Our study applied remote sensing tools, Landsat images, geographical information system (GIS) and geospatial techniques to quantify LULC change, built-up expansion and hotspot areas in Ebonyi state. Five land Use Land Cover (LULC) types were classified; forest area, built-up area, bare land, farm land and water body. LULC analysis reviewed significant land conversation during1996 and 2018 with increases in built up area by +1461 km 2, bare land (+284 ha) and farm land (+349 km 2) at the expense of forest area that has significantly declined by −2094 km (28.1%). No variation or change detection was recorded in water body (0 km 2). The linear regression analysis in 1996 and 2018 confirmed increased in population in the study areas resulted in high/positive increase in built-up expansion with coefficient of determination (R 2) of 0.727 and 0.573 respectively. However, population and built-up expansion within the study periods were 73 and 57 times more related in 1996 and 2018 respectively. LULC change hotspot analysis reviewed that Abakaliki and Ezza North are most critical areas that has witnessed intense and robust land conversion over years. It is recommended that tree planting program should be designed and first priority be given to Abakaliki and Ezza North during reclamation project in Ebonyi state.
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