A fresh report by Smart DNA, Nigeria’s leading DNA testing centre, has revealed that one in every four Nigerian men who undergo paternity testing is not the biological father of the child in question. The 2025 Annual DNA Testing Report, covering July 2024 to June 2025, has reignited national debate on trust, family dynamics, and the changing role of science in Nigeria’s social fabric.
Although the exclusion rate dipped slightly from 27% in 2024 to 25% in 2025, the figure remains alarmingly high, sparking concerns about what experts now describe as a silent but growing social crisis. “These findings are not just about science; they speak volumes about trust, relationships, and the economic and emotional realities of Nigerian families today,” said Elizabeth Digia, Operations Manager at Smart DNA Nigeria.
One of the report’s most striking revelations is the disproportionate rate of paternity rejection among firstborn children. A staggering 64% of firstborn sons tested were found not to be related to their presumed fathers, while firstborn daughters also recorded higher-than-average exclusion rates. Analysts suggest this trend may be tied to early relationships, pre-marital pregnancies, or cultural expectations surrounding male lineage and inheritance in Nigeria’s patriarchal society.
The report also highlights how Nigeria’s ongoing emigration wave—popularly known as the “Japa” movement—has driven a 13.1% surge in immigration-related DNA testing. Families seeking visas, dual citizenship, or reunification abroad are increasingly relying on DNA verification to process documentation for children. “DNA testing is now a gateway not just to truth, but to opportunity,” Digia noted, adding that many parents see it as a form of “biological passport.”
Men continue to dominate the DNA testing landscape, initiating 88.2% of all cases. Older men, particularly those aged 41 and above, accounted for nearly half of these tests, with suspicions often surfacing after years of family commitments. Most children tested (58.6%) were under five, underscoring how doubts typically emerge early in parenthood. Male children also formed the majority of samples tested (53.8%), reflecting societal emphasis on confirming male lineage in matters of family name and inheritance.
Lagos remains the epicentre of testing activity, accounting for 69% of all cases, with affluent neighbourhoods such as Lekki and Ajah recording notable increases. By ethnicity, Yoruba clients represented 53% of cases, Igbo 31.3%, while Hausa participation was strikingly low at just 1.2%—a gap experts link to cultural and religious reservations in Northern Nigeria.
Interestingly, the overwhelming majority of DNA tests—83.7%—were carried out for “peace of mind,” rather than legal purposes. Only 1.4% of cases were court-ordered, highlighting the deeply personal and often secretive nature of paternity testing. Most involved just one child, suggesting that suspicions are usually specific rather than blanket doubts about entire families.
Despite the prevalence of paternity fraud, Nigeria still lacks legislation to address the issue, unlike countries such as South Africa, where legal protections exist for men deceived about biological parenthood. The report urges urgent policy reforms and recommends integrating DNA testing into family health services, alongside awareness campaigns to normalize open conversations about paternity.
At its core, the Smart DNA report underscores a society grappling with painful truths and evolving family structures. “Behind every statistic is a human story—of doubt, betrayal, clarity, or relief. Our mission is not just to deliver answers, but to handle them with compassion and confidentiality,” Digia concluded.
●Credit: thenationonlineng.net
