A new report by Smart DNA Nigeria has revealed that 1 in 4 paternity tests conducted between July 2024 and June 2025 returned a negative result, indicating that the presumed father was not the biological parent. This figure, at 25%, signals a persistent paternity crisis despite a slight drop from 27% the previous year.
According to the 2025 Annual DNA Testing Report, firstborn sons had the highest exclusion rate—64%—highlighting a troubling trend in family trust and dynamics. The report also noted a sharp rise in immigration-related DNA tests, now making up 13.1% of all cases, fueled by Nigeria’s ongoing “Japa” migration wave.
Most paternity test requests (88.2%) were initiated by men, particularly those aged 41 and above, pointing to financial readiness as a key factor. Children aged 0–5 accounted for 58.6% of all tests, indicating a growing desire for early verification.
Lagos remained the DNA testing hub, with Lekki, Yaba, Ajah, and Ikorodu leading in demand. Yoruba families dominated the client base (53%), followed by Igbo (31.3%), while Hausa participation remained low at 1.2%.
Despite the emotional and legal implications, 83.7% of tests were done for “peace of mind,” not court orders. The report calls for legal reform, pointing to the lack of laws on paternity fraud in Nigeria.
Smart DNA stressed that the report reflects only those who already had doubts—not the general population—urging sensitive handling and policy integration to address the growing crisis.
