OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL BEHAVIOURS AND PREFERENCES OF ABUJA RESIDENTS, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study analyzed the recreational behaviours and preferences of residents of the federal capital city Abuja. The survey research design was adopted whereby structured questionnaires were used to elicit data from 400 randomly selected respondents through oral interviews. Descriptive statistical tools including averages, percentages, chi square test and bar charts were utilized in the analysis of the field data. Result of the investigation revealed that despite the heterogeneous nature of the sampled population of the central city, recreational activities occupy over 65% of the respondents’ leisure time, only 35% of the sampled respondents usually engage in non recreation activities. Again the result revealed six most preferred activities of recreation by majority (58%) of the sampled population which include watching soccer matches/other games in parks, playing soccer, taking beer/other drinks, bicycle riding, visiting museums and trekking. However, the result also indicates that the relative importance of these preferred recreational activities vary with age, gender, educational attainments and income levels of the residents. For effective recreation planning therefore, it has been recommended that the allocation of resources for recreational facilities in the city should not only reflect the preferences of the larger percent of the participants in these categories, but should also reflect that of the minorities in the same age, gender, education and income status. This will act as a guide towards adequacy of the facilities for the needs of all groups thereby averting underutilization of facilities or their over utilization by the citizens.