ABSTRACT National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) is a system of healthcare financing introduced by Federal Government of Nigeria to help reduce the risks and minimize the costs of healthcare. Since its inception, only the Formal Sector Social Health Insurance Programme (FSSHIP) has comprehensively taken off. This study investigated the knowledge and perception of Federal Civil Servants in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Federal Capital Territory (FCT). A sample size of 383 Civil Servants were selected. The instrument for data collection was a researcher – designed 30 item questionnaire. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages, mean and standard deviation. Hypotheses were tested using inferential statistics such as student’s t-test and Chi-square. Findings showed that majority of the civil servants (56.3%) had fair knowledge of NHIS programme. The civil servants had a positive perception of the NHIS programme (Overall Mean = 2.81). Majority of the respondents (60%) accessed care under the scheme. Findings from the study also showed that the civil servants who utilized the scheme had a better perception of the programme (mean = 2.84) when compared to those who didn’t (P = 0.038). Education was significantly associated with knowledge and positive perception of the programme. There was no association between grade level and knowledge of NHIS programme. In addition, their perception of the programme was not dependent on their gender. The study concluded that intensified campaign on the objectives, benefits and workings of the scheme should be ensured. This should be facilitated by the nurses and use of mass media in order to reach a vast majority of the workforce and enhance their perception of the programme.
