A new report from Smart DNA Nigeria has revealed that one in four paternity tests conducted between July 2024 and June 2025 showed that presumed fathers were not biologically related to their children.
The company’s annual report found a 25% exclusion rate, slightly lower than 2024’s 27%.
The data showed firstborn children, particularly boys, were most affected, with 64% of firstborn sons excluded. Immigration-related DNA tests also surged to 13.1% of cases, driven by Nigeria’s rising emigration wave.
The company said men initiated 88% of tests, with nearly half aged 41 and above. Children under five made up most of those tested, while Lagos accounted for 69% of total cases, led by Lekki, Yaba, Ajah, Ikorodu, Surulere, and Ikeja.
Ethnically, Yoruba families represented 53% of cases, followed by Igbo at 31%. Most tests (83.7%) were conducted for personal peace of mind rather than legal disputes.
Smart DNA emphasized that the figures only reflect families seeking verification and do not represent all Nigerian households. The report highlights how DNA testing is reshaping family trust and migration dynamics.
