Following persistent paternity crisis and deepening trust issues within Nigerian families, a new report by Smart DNA Nigeria has revealed that one in every four paternity tests conducted in the country still returns a negative result.
In its 2025 Annual DNA Testing Report, released this week, the Lagos-based genetic testing company disclosed that 25 per cent of paternity tests conducted between July 2024 and June 2025 indicated that the presumed fathers were not biologically related to the children in question.
Although slightly lower than 2024’s 27 per cent, the figure highlights what the firm calls a “worrying and consistent trend.”
The Operations Manager at Smart DNA, Elizabeth Digia, who provided insights on the report, stated: “These findings are not just about science; they tell us something profound about trust, relationships, and the legal and economic realities of Nigerian families today. Our role is to provide certainty through accurate testing while encouraging sensitive handling of the life-changing information our clients receive.”
The report noted that firstborn children, particularly sons, were significantly more likely to yield negative paternity test results. In fact, firstborn boys recorded a staggering 64 per cent exclusion rate, far higher than their later-born siblings.
Additionally, it revealed that immigration-related DNA testing surged to 13.1 per cent of all tests, a direct consequence of Nigeria’s escalating emigration wave, popularly referred to as 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 being requested by women. Notably, older men aged 41 and above accounted for nearly half (45.5 per cent) of all tests, suggesting that financial stability plays a major role in the decision to verify paternity.
Children between the ages of zero and five made up the majority of those tested, at 58.6 per cent, up from 54 per cent in the previous year. Analysts suggest this reflects a growing trend of parents seeking early clarity to avoid future complications.
While Lagos State still accounts for the bulk of DNA testing (69 per cent), the report indicates a shift in demand from the Mainland to the Island. Testing hubs such as Lekki (20.3 percent), Yaba (15.8 percent), Ajah and Ikorodu (10.5 percent each), and Surulere and Ikeja (9 percent each) have emerged as key locations.
The ethnic distribution of clients shows continued dominance by Yoruba families (53 percent), followed by Igbo (31.3 percent). Participation from the Hausa community remains minimal at 1.2 per cent, indicating significant cultural differences in attitudes toward paternity testing.
A vast majority—83.7 per cent—of DNA tests were conducted for “peace of mind” rather than legal requirements, with court-mandated tests accounting for just 1.4 per cent. The gender distribution of tested children also revealed cultural tendencies, as 53.8 per cent were male, reflecting an ongoing emphasis on verifying male lineage for potential inheritance and family name preservation.
Digia lamented, “We’re seeing more people come forward with doubts they’ve harboured for years. Some of these cases involve emotional trauma and even financial exploitation. A policy framework is overdue.”
“Our figures reflect those who already had reason to question paternity, and as such, the results should not be extrapolated to all Nigerian families.”