A new report from Smart DNA, a top DNA testing center in Lagos, reveals surprising results about paternity in Nigeria. Between July 2023 and June 2024, 27% of paternity tests showed that the tested men were not the biological fathers of the children. This means that more than one in four men tested are not the actual fathers.
The report also highlights a rise in DNA tests for immigration, reflecting the high interest in moving abroad. Lagos leads in DNA testing, with 73.1% of tests conducted there, showing a significant economic gap within the city.
The Yoruba ethnic group had the highest percentage of tests at 53%, while the Igbo came next at 31.3%, and the Hausa at just 1.2%. Most DNA tests were done on young children aged 0-5 and were primarily for peace of mind rather than legal reasons. Tests were slightly more common for male children and were mostly requested by men aged 31 and older.
Elizabeth Digia, Operations Manager at Smart DNA, noted that these findings reflect changes in Nigerian families and societal trends, and emphasized the need for broader access to DNA testing services across the country.