Nigeria’s paternity test crisis deepens as 1 in 4 DNA results show negative matches in 2025, revealing trust issues, rising doubts, and urgent need for reform
Nigeria’s paternity test crisis continues to alarm families and experts alike, with a new report revealing that 1 in every 4 paternity tests conducted still results in a negative match.
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According to Smart DNA Nigeria’s 2025 Annual DNA Testing Report, 25% of paternity tests carried out between July 2024 and June 2025 excluded presumed fathers, slightly down from 27% the previous year.
Despite the minor drop, the Lagos-based genetics firm said the trend signals a deepening family trust issue in the country.
“These findings are not just about science,” said Elizabeth Digia, Smart DNA’s Operations Manager. “They speak to trust, relationships, and the legal and economic realities families face.”
The report highlights a shocking 64% exclusion rate among firstborn sons, suggesting cultural or circumstantial reasons behind early-child paternity doubts.
Most DNA requests—88.2%—were initiated by men, and the majority of those tested were children aged 0 to 5, indicating a growing demand for early verification.
In a notable trend, immigration-related DNA tests spiked to 13.1%, reflecting the “Japa” movement—Nigeria’s ongoing emigration surge.
Dual-citizen families increasingly use DNA testing for documentation purposes abroad, Smart DNA said.
Lagos State continues to dominate, accounting for 69% of all tests. Lekki led with 20.3%, followed by Yaba (15.8%), Ajah and Ikorodu (10.5% each), Surulere and Ikeja (9% each).
Ethnic participation remained uneven: Yoruba families made up 53% of cases, Igbo 31.3%, and Hausa just 1.2%, reflecting stark cultural differences in openness to DNA testing.
Males accounted for 53.8% of tested children—another reflection of societal focus on verifying male lineage for inheritance and family name preservation.
Perhaps more concerning is the absence of legal protections. The report criticizes the Nigerian legal system for lacking specific laws on paternity fraud, unlike countries such as South Africa.
“We’re seeing more people come forward with doubts they’ve harboured for years,” Digia added.
“Some of these involve emotional trauma and financial exploitation. A national policy framework is long overdue.”
While 83.7% of tests were for “peace of mind”, rather than legal battles, the emotional toll remains significant.
The report urges public health bodies to integrate DNA testing into family planning and premarital counselling, calling it a “preventive tool”.
Also read: Don Jazzy calls for DNA tests to combat paternity fraud
Smart DNA also clarified that its data does not represent the general population, but rather those who already had suspicions.
Source: Read more at saharareporters.com
