Ibadan Journal of the Social Sciences
Volume 24, No. 1, 2026
DOI: 10.36108/ijss/6202.42.0160
Geospatial Analysis of Legal Land Dispute in Ibadan Metropolis (1972 – 2018)
Joseph Muyiwa Olumoyegun and Michael Olawole Faniyi
Department of Geography, University of Ibadan, Nigeria
Abstract
Land disputes constitute one of the most persistent forms of socio-economic conflict in Nigeria, particularly in rapidly urbanizing cities such as Ibadan. As cases are decided in the courts, from the Magistrates’ Court to the Supreme Court, a large volume of law reports is produced. Land matters rank high in Ibadan Metropolis. This study investigates the spatial and temporal dynamics of legal land disputes in Ibadan Metropolis over 46 years (1972-2018), aiming to identify patterns and inform evidence-based land management strategies. The study utilized Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and the Elasticsearch, Logstash, and Kibana (ELK) stack framework. Published law reports obtained from Law Pavilion, Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates of court locations, and OpenStreetMap datasets were integrated into a geospatial database for analysis. Spatial analytical tools, including Average Nearest Neighbour, Standard Deviational Ellipse, and Emerging Hot Spot Analysis, were employed to identify clustering patterns and temporal trends in land conflict distribution, while the ELK stack was used for queries with interactive maps. Findings revealed that land disputes in Ibadan are spatially clustered, particularly within Ibadan North, Ibadan North-West, and Ibadan South-West Local Government Areas. Temporal hotspot analysis further indicated persistent and consecutive hotspots in areas experiencing rapid urban growth and increasing land values. The study demonstrates the usefulness of integrating GIS and ELK stack technologies in legal information retrieval, judicial record management, and spatial visualization of dispute patterns. The study recommends improved geocoding standards in judicial records, digitization of legal archives, and institutional adoption of geospatial technologies for efficient justice administration and land governance in Nigeria.
Keywords: ELK stack, GIS, Hot Spot Analysis, Law Pavilion, legal land disputes