Key dimensions of land users’ perceptions of land degradation and sustainable land management in Niger State, Nigeria

•Narratives about land degradation (LD) enrich results from statistical analysis.•Vegetation loss, soil, and Sudano-Sahelian condition and LULC are indicators of LD.•Insecurity, criminal activities and linked response measures drive LD.•Unsustainable activities from both within and adjoining degraded states drive LD.•Effective land governance through policies at local scale are key SLM measures.