A new report by Smart DNA Nigeria has revealed that one in every four children tested in Nigeria fail paternity tests.
The report, which analysed results from July 2024 to June 2025, showed that 25 percent of paternity tests returned negative, only slightly lower than the 27 percent recorded in 2024.
Findings indicated that firstborn children, especially sons, were the most excluded, with 64 percent of negative results linked to them. Lagos accounted for 69 percent of all tests, with Lekki recording the highest concentration.
The report also revealed that men initiated 88.2 percent of tests, with nearly half of them aged 41 and above. Most tests were carried out for peace of mind rather than legal reasons.
According to Smart DNA’s Operations Manager, Elizabeth Digia, the figures highlight deeper issues around trust, relationships, and family structures in Nigeria.
The report further noted a rise in immigration-related DNA tests, driven by the ongoing “Japa” movement, as families sought documentation for foreign relocation.
Experts have since called for legal reforms and public sensitisation on paternity testing to minimise the emotional and psychological impact on families.
