A new report from Smart DNA Nigeria has revealed that one in every four paternity tests conducted in the country yields a negative result. This highlights an ongoing paternity crisis and growing trust issues within Nigerian families. According to the 2025 Annual DNA Testing Report, released this week by the Lagos-based genetic testing company, 25 percent of paternity tests conducted between July 2024 and June 2025 showed that the presumed fathers were not biologically related to the children in question. While this percentage is slightly lower than the 27 percent recorded in 2024, it still reflects what the firm describes as a “worrying and consistent trend.”
“These findings are not just scientific; they profoundly reveal issues related to trust, relationships, and the legal and economic realities faced by Nigerian families today,” stated Elizabeth Digia, Operations Manager at Smart DNA. “Our mission is to provide certainty through accurate testing while encouraging a sensitive approach to the life-changing information our clients receive.”
The report noted that firstborn children, especially sons, were significantly more likely to have negative paternity test results, with firstborn boys recording a staggering 64 per cent exclusion rate, far higher than later-born siblings. It also revealed that immigration-related DNA testing surged to 13.1 per cent of all tests, a direct result of Nigeria’s escalating emigration wave, popularly dubbed the “Japa” phenomenon. This marks a sharp increase from previous years as more families seek documentation for foreign relocation. “Many of our clients are dual-citizenship families processing DNA documentation for children, often as part of long-term emigration plans,” the report noted.
Another key finding was that 88.2 per cent of all paternity tests were initiated by men, with only 11.8 per cent coming from women. Older men, particularly those aged 41 and above, accounted for nearly half (45.5 per cent) of all tests, suggesting financial stability plays a major role in initiating paternity verification. Children between ages 0 and 5 made up the majority of those tested, at 58.6 per cent, up from 54 per cent in the previous year.
According to analysts, this shows a growing trend of parents seeking early clarity to avoid future complications. While Lagos State still accounted for the bulk of DNA testing (69 per cent), the report shows a shift in demand from the Mainland to the Island. Lekki (20.3 per cent), Yaba (15.8 per cent), Ajah and Ikorodu (10.5 per cent each), and Surulere and Ikeja (9 per cent each) ranked as top testing hubs.
The ethnic distribution of clients revealed a clear dominance of Yoruba families, making up 53 percent of the total. This was followed by Igbo families at 31.3 percent. In contrast, participation from Hausa families was minimal, accounting for only 1.2 percent, indicating significant cultural differences in attitudes toward paternity testing.
A majority of the DNA tests—83.7 percent—were conducted for “peace of mind” rather than for legal reasons, with only 1.4 percent of tests being court-mandated. The gender distribution of the tested children also reflected cultural preferences, with 53.8 percent being male. This suggests an ongoing emphasis on verifying male lineage, likely related to inheritance and the preservation of family names.
The report underscores the urgent need for legal reform, noting that Nigeria currently lacks specific laws addressing paternity fraud, in contrast to countries like South Africa. It also recommends that public health policies incorporate DNA testing into family planning and premarital counseling frameworks.
“We are seeing more people come forward with doubts they have harbored for years,” said Digia. “Some of these cases involve emotional trauma and even financial exploitation. A policy framework is long overdue.”
Smart DNA emphasised that its report is based on anonymised data from real cases and does not represent the general population. “Our figures reflect those who already had reason to question paternity, and as such, the results should not be extrapolated to all Nigerian families,” the firm explained.
Source: Vanguardngr.com