DNA New report uncovers high rate of paternity fraud in Nigeria

Smart DNA Nigeria has released its 2025 Annual DNA Testing Report, revealing that one in four men who presumed they were the biological fathers of children tested were not.

The report, which covers data from July 2024 to June 2025, highlights persistent trends in paternity discrepancies, rising demand for DNA testing, and shifting family dynamics in Nigeria.

According to the findings, 25 percent of paternity tests conducted during the period returned negative results, indicating that the presumed fathers were not biologically related to the children.

Although this represents a slight decline from the 27 percent recorded in 2024, it still points to a consistent pattern of paternity uncertainty.

The report also notes that firstborn children are more likely to be involved in paternity disputes.

Firstborn sons showed the highest rate of negative paternity results at 64 percent, while firstborn daughters were also significantly more likely to be unrelated to their presumed fathers compared to later-born children.

DNA testing related to immigration cases accounted for 13.1 percent of all tests carried out during the period, a reflection of the increasing number of Nigerians relocating abroad.

Many families undergoing immigration-related DNA testing were reportedly doing so to facilitate documentation for children as part of the “Japa” wave, a slang term for mass emigration.

The data also revealed a strong gender disparity in who initiates DNA tests. Nearly 90 percent of the tests were requested by men, while only 11.8 percent were initiated by women. Experts believe this reflects societal norms where men, often after years of suspicion, seek confirmation of biological ties.

Smart DNA’s Operations Manager, Elizabeth Digia, called for urgent reforms in light of the findings. She noted that Nigeria does not currently have specific laws addressing paternity fraud, unlike South Africa.

This legal gap leaves many men without formal recourse when they discover they are not the biological fathers of children they have supported.

Digia also recommended integrating DNA testing into pre-marital counseling and family health services. She stressed the need for public education campaigns to correct misconceptions, such as the belief that DNA testing is only for the wealthy or that physical resemblance is proof of paternity.

She emphasized that beyond the science, the findings reflect broader issues around trust, relationships, and legal accountability in Nigerian society.