One In Four Paternity Tests In Nigeria Still Negative, Smart DNA Report Reveals

Amid ongoing paternity disputes and growing trust concerns in Nigerian homes, a new report by Smart DNA Nigeria shows that one in four paternity tests in the country still return negative results.

The Lagos-based genetic testing firm disclosed in its 2025 Annual DNA Testing Report that 25 percent of paternity tests conducted between July 2024 and June 2025 confirmed that presumed fathers were not biologically related to the children tested. While slightly lower than the 27 percent recorded in 2024, the figure reflects what the company describes as a “worrying and consistent trend.”

Elizabeth Digia, Operations Manager at Smart DNA, said the findings go beyond science, shedding light on deeper issues of trust, relationships, and the economic and legal realities facing Nigerian families. “Our role is to provide certainty through accurate testing while encouraging sensitive handling of the life-changing information our clients receive,” she noted.

The report highlights several striking patterns:

• Firstborns, especially sons, are at higher risk — firstborn boys recorded a 64 percent exclusion rate, far exceeding later-born children.
• Immigration-driven testing is rising sharply — DNA tests for emigration purposes now account for 13.1 percent of all cases, linked to Nigeria’s growing “Japa” migration trend.
• Testing is overwhelmingly male-led — 88.2 percent of cases were initiated by men, with those aged 41 and above making up nearly half (45.5 percent), underscoring the link between financial security and paternity verification.
• Children under age five dominate testing — 58.6 percent of tests involved toddlers and infants, showing parents’ desire for early clarity.

Lagos remains Nigeria’s DNA testing hub, representing 69 percent of all cases, with demand shifting from the Mainland to the Island. Lekki (20.3 percent), Yaba (15.8 percent), Ajah and Ikorodu (10.5 percent each), and Surulere and Ikeja (9 percent each) emerged as top testing hotspots.

Ethnic data shows Yoruba families account for 53 percent of clients, followed by Igbo (31.3 percent), while Hausa participation remains low at 1.2 percent — indicating cultural differences in attitudes toward paternity testing.

Most tests (83.7 percent) were conducted for personal peace of mind rather than legal disputes, while only 1.4 percent were court-ordered. Male children made up 53.8 percent of those tested, reflecting continued emphasis on verifying male lineage for inheritance and family name reasons.

“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,” Digia said, stressing the need for a national policy framework. She cautioned that the results reflect only families who already had cause for suspicion and should not be generalized to all Nigerian households.