Findings indicated that 88.2 per cent of cases were initiated by men, with those aged 41 and above accounting for nearly half.
LAGOS – One in four DNA paternity tests conducted in Nigeria has returned a negative result, according to Smart DNA Nigeria’s 2025 Annual DNA Testing Report released this week.
The study revealed that 25 per cent of tests carried out between July 2024 and June 2025 excluded presumed fathers as the biological parents of children tested. While slightly lower than the 27 per cent recorded last year, the company described it as a “worrying and consistent trend.”
“These findings are not just about science; they tell us something profound about trust, relationships, and the legal and economic realities of Nigerian families today,” said Smart DNA Operations Manager, Elizabeth Digia.
The report showed that firstborn children, especially sons, were most affected, with a 64 per cent exclusion rate. Immigration-related testing also rose to 13.1 per cent, tied to Nigeria’s ongoing “Japa” migration wave.
Findings indicated that 88.2 per cent of cases were initiated by men, with those aged 41 and above accounting for nearly half. Most tests were conducted for “peace of mind” (83.7 per cent), rather than legal purposes.
Lagos State remained Nigeria’s testing hub, with Lekki, Yaba, Ajah, Ikorodu, Surulere and Ikeja recording the highest demand. Yoruba families accounted for more than half of clients.
Smart DNA warned that the results highlight growing family tensions and called for legal reforms on paternity fraud and greater integration of DNA testing into public health policy.
“A policy framework is overdue,” Digia stressed.
READ MORE AT SAHARA REPORTERS.