A recent report by Smart DNA, a testing centre located in Lagos, has indicates that over 25% of Nigerian men who took paternity tests were not the biological fathers of the children in question. The 2024 report, analysing DNA testing trends from July 2023 to June 2024, shows that 27% of paternity tests returned negative results, marking a small increase from the 26.12% observed the previous year.
The report aims to illuminate the changing dynamics within Nigerian families, societal influences, and economic factors, revealing a modest rise of 0.88% in men finding out they are not the biological fathers of their presumed children. Furthermore, the 2024 report points out a notable increase in DNA tests associated with immigration, which underscores the burgeoning “Japa” trend, as more Nigerians seek opportunities overseas. This trend was particularly noticeable in the rise of tests conducted for emigration purposes.
Lagos overwhelmingly led the DNA testing scene regionally, representing an impressive 73.1% of all tests performed. The testing distribution within Lagos highlighted a significant economic disparity, with 67.5% of tests taking place on the Mainland compared to 32.5% on the Island. This concentration in Lagos raises concerns about the availability of these services in other regions of Nigeria.
An ethnic breakdown of the data revealed that the Yoruba represented 53% of the tests, with the Igbo comprising 31.3% and the Hausa making up 1.20%. Most of the children tested were between the ages of 0-5 years (54%), suggesting a trend towards early paternity verification. Additionally, older men, especially those aged 41 and over (45.6%), were the most frequent requesters of paternity tests, which may be influenced by economic reasons or heightened awareness about paternity as they age.
The report indicated a minor gender bias, revealing that a greater percentage of tests were carried out on male children (52.8%) than on female children (47.2%), which may suggest a cultural inclination towards verifying the paternity of male children.
In response to the findings, Elizabeth Digia, Operations Manager at Smart DNA, remarked, “These results provide a distinct perspective on the evolving dynamics within Nigerian families and society. The significant rate of unfavourable paternity tests and the increase in immigration-related testing are especially significant. They highlight broader societal trends that deserve more discussion and investigation.”
She noted that the focus on testing in Lagos brings up significant concerns regarding the availability and awareness of DNA testing services throughout Nigeria. “Our company is dedicated to broadening access to our services all over the country while upholding the highest levels of accuracy and confidentiality,” Digia stressed.
The report indicated that a significant portion of DNA tests (85.9%) were performed for personal reassurance rather than legal purposes, underscoring the intimate nature of most paternity questions. In contrast, last year’s report showed that 73.88% of men who participated in relationship testing were confirmed as the biological fathers of their children, with ‘Peace of Mind’ cited as the main reason for testing in 89.10% of instances.
