DNA test Nigeria report shows 25% paternity exclusion, with immigration testing surging amid rising emigration and family trust concerns
DNA test Nigeria results from Smart DNA’s 2025 Annual Report have revealed that one in four presumed fathers are not the biological parents of their children, with a paternity exclusion rate of 25 per cent.
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The report, analysing data from July 2024 to June 2025, shows a slight drop from 27 per cent in 2024 but highlights the persistence of family trust concerns in Nigeria.
“Firstborn children remain the most vulnerable,” the report stated. “Firstborn sons showed the highest discrepancy at 64 per cent, while firstborn daughters were also more likely to return negative results compared to later-born children.”
Beyond paternity disputes, the report documented a sharp rise in immigration-related DNA testing, which surged to 13.1 per cent of all tests.
Smart DNA linked this increase to Nigeria’s “Japa wave” mass emigration with families seeking documentation for relocation or securing foreign passports as a backup plan.
“This consistent pattern raises serious questions about family structures, trust, and social arrangements in urban Nigeria,” the Centre said.
The gender imbalance in testing also stood out: nearly nine out of 10 paternity tests were initiated by men, while women accounted for just 11.8 per cent.
According to experts, this reflects deep-seated gender roles, where men predominantly seek confirmation of paternity often after years of silent doubts.
Elizabeth Digia, Operations Manager at Smart DNA, stressed that the findings demand urgent legal and social reforms.
“Nigeria lacks specific paternity fraud laws, unlike South Africa, leaving men with little recourse after years of financial responsibility.
Public health campaigns should normalize paternity discussions, while DNA testing should be integrated into premarital and family health programs.”
She also debunked lingering myths, noting that DNA testing is not only for the wealthy and that physical resemblance is not proof of paternity.
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“Our role is to provide certainty through accurate testing while encouraging sensitive handling of the life-changing information our clients receive,” Digia said.
