Who gets to use the green? Exploring access, perceptions, and usage patterns in a post-colonial capital of Sub-Saharan Africa

Urban green spaces are critical for promoting socio-ecological sustainability by enhancing public health, social well-being, and environmental quality in rapidly urbanizing cities. However, despite their importance, empirical understanding of how access, usage, and perceptions vary across socioeconomic groups in post-colonial African capitals remains limited. This study addresses this gap by investigating green space access, perceptions, and usage patterns in Abuja, Nigeria. A mixed-methods approach was adopted, combining a household survey of 421 residents across socio-spatial districts with GIS-based spatial accessibility analysis. Results show that only 4.7 % of residents live within 300 m—the World Health Organization's recommended walking distance. Survey findings further indicate that over half (51.2 %) travel more than 7 km to reach a green space, with the majority (31.8 %) visiting rarely. A prominent pattern in Abuja is the gendered and income disparity in green space usage: males were observed to be more frequent users than females (OR = 4.61, p < 0.001). High-income residents enjoy privileged access through better facilities and private alternatives, while low-income residents—who depend most on public green spaces—are systematically excluded by distance, transport costs, and mobility constraints. This pattern reflects a “double burden” of disadvantage, where limited resources intersect with spatial marginalization, exposing persistent social and spatial divides rooted in the city's planning legacy. The study concludes that inequities in access and use mirror structural divides in urban development and call for inclusive policy interventions that prioritize equitable distribution and accessibility. Such measures are essential to ensure that the health, social, and environmental benefits of urban greenery are shared by all residents.