A new report by Smart DNA, Nigeria’s leading forensic laboratory, has shed light on the growing complexities of family structures and paternity disputes across the country.
According to the 2025 Annual DNA Testing Report, released this week, DNA testing in Nigeria rose by 13.1% between July 2024 and June 2025.
Also, this increase was largely driven by immigration-related cases, as more Nigerians continue to pursue relocation opportunities abroad under the Japa wave.
One of the most striking revelations in the report is the persistently high rate of paternity exclusions.
The findings show that 25% of men tested were not the biological fathers of the children in question.
While this figure is slightly lower than the 27% recorded in 2024, it still confirms that one in four Nigerian men undergoing DNA tests receive negative results.
The report further highlighted that firstborn children remain the most affected.
An alarming 64% of disputed firstborn sons, along with a notable share of firstborn daughters, were found not to belong to their presumed fathers.
Immigration-driven DNA testing also surged, accounting for 13.1% of total cases, as families sought genetic proof for residency, documentation, or dual citizenship abroad.
The gender breakdown revealed that men initiated nearly 90% of paternity tests, while women accounted for just 11.8%.
Commenting on the findings, Smart DNA’s Operations Manager, Elizabeth Digia, described the data as a wake-up call for Nigeria.
This, she noted, leaves men without legal protection even after years of financial and emotional responsibility for children that may not be theirs.
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“Public health campaigns should normalise paternity conversations and make DNA testing part of pre-marital and family health programmes. Our role is to provide certainty through accurate testing,” Digia said.
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