This study investigates the spatiotemporal dynamics of land use/land cover (LULC) change and its impact on land surface temperature (LST) in Ondo West Local Government Area, southwestern Nigeria, a region experiencing rapid urbanization. Using Landsat imagery from 1986 to 2019, we analyzed LULC change, calculated land consumption rates, and retrieved LST data. A social survey was conducted to assess local perceptions of LULC change drivers. Results show a significant increase in built-up areas at the expense of forests and agricultural land, driven by urbanization and population growth. This LULC transformation is strongly associated with rising LST, confirming the presence of the urban heat island (UHI) effect. The analysis revealed a decline in the land consumption rate, suggesting increasing competition for limited land resources. Social surveys identified land tenure issues, urban growth, and population increase as key drivers of LULC change. These findings underscore the critical need for sustainable urban planning strategies that address land tenure issues, promote green infrastructure, and mitigate the UHI effect to enhance environmental sustainability and improve the quality of life in this rapidly urbanizing region and other similar contexts in sub-Saharan Africa.