Nigeria’s Paternity Crisis: 1 in 4 DNA Tests Still Reveal False Fatherhood – Smart DNA Report

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, highlighting a persistent paternity crisis and deepening trust issues within Nigerian families.

In its 2025 Annual DNA Testing Report, released this week, the Lagos-based genetic testing company disclosed that 25% of paternity tests conducted between July 2024 and June 2025 showed that the presumed fathers were not biologically related to the children in question. Although this is slightly lower than the 27% recorded in 2024, the firm described it as a “worrying and consistent trend.”

“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,” said Elizabeth Digia, Operations Manager at Smart DNA.

“Our role is to provide certainty through accurate testing while encouraging sensitive handling of the life-changing information our clients receive.”

The report revealed some striking patterns: Firstborn children—especially sons—were far more likely to record negative paternity results. Firstborn boys alone accounted for a staggering 64% exclusion rate, far higher than later-born siblings.

Immigration-related DNA testing surged to 13.1% of all tests, a direct consequence of Nigeria’s ongoing emigration wave, popularly known as the “Japa” phenomenon. Many cases involved dual-citizenship families seeking documentation for children as part of long-term relocation plans.

Men initiated the majority of paternity tests (88.2%), compared to only 11.8% by women. Older men, particularly those aged 41 and above, made up nearly half (45.5%) of all tests, suggesting that financial stability plays a major role in initiating verification.

Children aged 0 to 5 years accounted for most tests (58.6%), up from 54% in the previous year.

Overall, the report underscores how DNA testing has become both a scientific tool and a mirror of Nigeria’s shifting social, economic, and migration realities.