‘One in four Nigerian men tested are not biological fathers’

August 21, 2025 by Adekunle Yusuf

A new report from Smart DNA, Nigeria’s leading DNA testing centre, has revealed that one in every four Nigerian men who undergo paternity testing is not the biological father of the child in question, a statistic that continues to send shockwaves through the country’s evolving family landscape. The company’s 2025 Annual DNA Testing Report, which covers the period from July 2024 to June 2025, offers a sobering reflection on the intersections of trust, family, migration, and modern science in Nigeria.

Despite a slight decrease from 27per cent in 2024 to 25per cent in 2025, the high rate of paternity exclusion remains disturbingly consistent, sustaining what experts are now calling a quiet but growing social crisis. “These findings are not just about science; they speak volumes about trust, relationships, and the economic and emotional realities of Nigerian families today,” said Elizabeth Digia, Operations Manager at Smart DNA Nigeria.

One of the most jarring revelations in this year’s report is the disproportionate rate of paternity rejection among firstborn sons. A staggering 64 per cent of firstborn males tested were found to have no biological relation to their presumed fathers, making them the most likely group to return negative results. This figure dwarfs the rates seen in later-born children, painting a complex psychological and social picture.

Firstborn daughters also showed higher-than-average rejection rates, though not as dramatically as sons. This trend may hint at an unspoken cultural phenomenon where early relationships, pre-marital pregnancies, or strategic partner selection are factors at play. It also raises pointed questions about how fatherhood is initially claimed and socially accepted, especially in patriarchal societies where male lineage is often tied to legacy, inheritance, and family name continuity.

Beyond family drama, Nigeria’s current mass emigration movement—popularly dubbed the “Japa” wave—has triggered a 13.1per cent surge in immigration-related DNA testing, according to the report. This marks a historic increase in testing for visa applications, dual-citizenship verifications, and family reunification abroad. With growing numbers of Nigerian families preparing for or adjusting to life in the diaspora, many are turning to DNA services to legally validate familial ties—especially when processing foreign documentation for minors. “DNA testing is now a gateway not just to truth, but to opportunity,” Digia noted. “We’re seeing parents use this as a safeguard—essentially, a form of biological passport for their children.”

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Men remain overwhelmingly at the centre of the paternity inquiry ecosystem, accounting for 88.2 per cent of all test initiations. This near-monopoly on demand reflects a society where women are often excluded from questioning lineage, and men shoulder both the emotional and financial consequences of uncertainty. Notably, older men (aged 41 and above) were the most frequent clients, initiating 45.5per cent of all tests, suggesting that financial stability may empower them to finally confront long-held suspicions. At the same time, the majority of children tested (58.6per cent) were under the age of five—indicating that in many cases, doubts arise early and parents are acting quickly to establish the truth. The gender of the child also appears to matter: 53.8per cent of those tested were male, highlighting an enduring bias toward confirming male lineage. This may be rooted in traditional views that prioritise the male child in matters of succession and family identity.

While Lagos continues to lead in testing volume with 69 per cent of all samples, its internal landscape is shifting. The Mainland-to-Island balance has tilted, with Island locations like Lekki and Ajah seeing increased testing activity—likely reflecting the upward mobility of Lagos residents and the growing influence of the Island’s more affluent communities. Top testing locations included Lekki (20.3 per cent), Yaba (15.8 per cent), Ajah and Ikorodu (10.5 per cent each), and Surulere and Ikeja (9 percent each).

Ethnic representation within the data offers another layer of complexity. Yoruba clients made up 53per cent of all testing cases, followed by Igbo clients at 31.3 per cent. Surprisingly, Hausa participation remains minimal at 1.2 per cent, despite their significant population nationally. This disparity may reflect cultural taboos, religious sensitivities, or lower awareness and acceptance of DNA testing in Northern Nigeria.

The new data also showed that most tests are quiet, personal – and not legally driven. This means that the vast majority of tests—83.7per cent—were conducted for “peace of mind” rather than legal proceedings. This confirms a hidden but widespread culture of suspicion and silent inquiry into family truths. Court-mandated tests, by contrast, made up only 1.4 per cent of cases. Equally telling is that 80 percent of tests involved only one child, suggesting most clients are focused on a single case of doubt, rather than conducting a blanket investigation across all children. This speaks to the specificity—and often the secrecy—surrounding these tests.

Despite the scale and implications of these findings, experts are worried that Nigeria still lacks legislation on paternity fraud, unlike countries such as South Africa where legal protections exist for men misled about biological parenthood. The absence of clear legal recourse continues to leave thousands of men without support or restitution after years of emotional and financial investment in children they later discover are not theirs. The report recommends urgent policy reform, alongside the integration of DNA testing into family health services and public education campaigns to counter myths and normalise open paternity conversations.

The 2025 Smart DNA Nigeria Annual Report does more than quantify paternity doubts—it exposes a society in quiet upheaval, grappling with trust, evolving family dynamics, and the unforgiving truth offered by modern science. At its core, this isn’t just a health or legal issue—it is a national conversation waiting to happen. “Behind every statistic is a human story—of doubt, betrayal, clarity, or relief. Our mission is not just to