DNA test: 27% of Nigerian men not biological fathers – Report

Lagos-based Smart DNA has released its comprehensive 2024 report, highlighting eye-opening trends in DNA testing across Nigeria from July 2023 to June 2024. The report reveals significant insights into family dynamics, economic pressures, and shifting societal structures, sparking major conversations nationwide.

Key findings include a staggering 27% of paternity tests returning negative, confirming that over one in four men tested are not the biological fathers of the children involved. The “Japa” phenomenon is also fueling a surge in DNA tests for immigration purposes, as more Nigerians seek opportunities abroad, with immigration-related tests now outpacing all other categories.

Lagos dominates DNA testing, accounting for 73.1% of all tests, highlighting a stark economic divide between the Mainland (67.5%) and Island (32.5%). Ethnic breakdowns reveal the Yoruba group leads with 53% of tests, followed by Igbo (31.3%), and Hausa at just 1.2%.

Elizabeth Digia, Operations Manager at Smart DNA, described the report as a “unique window into the changing dynamics of Nigerian families,” emphasizing the societal implications of high paternity discrepancies and the soaring demand for immigration-related tests.

With 85.9% of tests conducted for “peace of mind,” the report underscores a pressing need for nationwide access to DNA services, amid economic and cultural divides that continue to shape the landscape of family and identity in Nigeria.