A new report by Smart DNA Nigeria has revealed that one in every four paternity tests conducted in the country returned a negative result between July 2024 and June 2025.
According to the company’s 2025 Annual DNA Testing Report, 25 per cent of tested cases showed that presumed fathers were not biologically related to the children involved.
The figure, though slightly lower than the 27 per cent recorded in 2024, underscores a consistent trend of disputed paternity.
The report found that firstborn children, particularly sons, were far more likely to test negative, with firstborn boys recording a 64 per cent exclusion rate — significantly higher than later-born siblings.
The Operations Manager at Smart DNA, Elizabeth Digia, who gave details on the report, said, “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 also indicated a sharp rise in immigration-related DNA testing, which made up 13.1 per cent of all cases.
This increase was linked to Nigeria’s ongoing emigration wave, popularly called the “Japa” phenomenon, as more families sought documentation for relocation abroad.
Men accounted for 88.2 per cent of test initiations, with nearly half of them aged 41 and above. Children under five comprised most of those tested, at 58.6 per cent.
Geographically, Lagos dominated DNA testing, with 69 per cent of cases, with Lekki, Yaba, Ajah, Ikorodu, Surulere, and Ikeja emerging as top hubs.
Yoruba families accounted for 53 per cent of clients, followed by Igbo at 31.3 per cent, while Hausa participation remained low at 1.2 per cent.
Most tests (83.7 per cent) were carried out for personal reasons described as “peace of mind,” while only 1.4 per cent were court-mandated. Boys were slightly more likely to be tested than girls, at 53.8 per cent, reflecting cultural emphasis on male lineage.
The report cautioned that the figures only represent families already seeking verification and should not be taken as a reflection of all Nigerian households.
