DNA Testing Sparks National Debate in Nigeria

A new report revealing that one in four children in Nigeria fail DNA paternity tests has triggered heated discussions nationwide, often described as a “paternity hoax” debate.

The findings from Smart DNA Nigeria, covering July 2024 to June 2025, suggest that paternity disputes are becoming a serious social issue, with implications for families, marriages, and cultural trust systems.

Key Findings from the Report

• 25% of paternity tests were negative, only slightly down from 27% in 2024.

• Firstborn sons were the most excluded, making up 64% of all exclusions.

• Immigration-related DNA testing rose to 13.1% of all cases, linked to the ongoing “Japa” migration trend.

• Men requested 88.2% of all tests, often out of suspicion, while women initiated only 11.8%.

• Most tests were carried out for psychological rather than legal reasons (83.7% vs 1.4%).

• Lagos handled 69% of tests, with Lekki alone accounting for 20.3%.

• Yoruba families represented 53% of cases, Igbo 31.3%, and Hausa 1.2%.

Smart DNA’s operations manager, Elizabeth Digia, noted: “These statistics tell us something profound about trust, relationships and the legal and economic realities of Nigerian families today.”

Beyond numbers, the emotional cost is staggering. When DNA results reveal unexpected truths, families often face:

• Shattered trust in marriages

• Children feeling displaced or rejected

• Conflicts over inheritance and lineage

Experts warn that the psychological fallout can be devastating, especially if revelations occur later in life.

The DNA debate has split public opinion in Nigeria:

Opponents of routine DNA testing argue:

• It should only be done when another man is legally contesting paternity.

• Unnecessary suspicion may destroy families and trigger violence.

• Some psychologists, like Dr. Dipo Olawale, caution that testing out of suspicion alone can lead to trauma, depression, or even domestic violence.

Supporters of routine DNA testing counter:

• Knowing early prevents future heartbreak.

• Even if a man chooses to raise a child knowingly, the decision should be deliberate.

• Chief Wole Adegbola argues that delayed revelations are more destructive, citing cases where men discovered after decades of raising children that they were not the biological fathers.

The study recommends:

• Public education to dispel myths about DNA services

• Healthcare integration of DNA testing

• Legal reforms to address paternity fraud

It also emphasizes that results should not be generalized, as they represent families already experiencing doubts.