Nigeria’s leading DNA testing centre, Smart DNA Nigeria, has disclosed that one in every four men who undergo paternity testing is not the biological father of the child in question. The revelation underscores a persistent paternity crisis and highlights deepening trust issues within Nigerian families.

In its 2025 Annual DNA Testing Report, covering July 2024 to June 2025, the company revealed that 25 percent of paternity tests conducted during the period excluded the presumed fathers. While the figure is slightly lower than the 27 percent recorded in 2024, the firm described it as a “worrying and consistent trend.”

“These findings are not just about science. They tell us something profound about trust, relationships, and the legal and economic realities of Nigerian families today,” the report stated.

Speaking on the development, Smart DNA’s Operations Manager, Elizabeth Digia, explained that the company’s mission goes beyond testing. “Our role is to provide certainty through accurate testing while encouraging sensitive handling of the life-changing Gistzone our clients receive,” she said.

READ MORE: Paternity Test: 27% Of Nigerian Men Aren’t Biological Fathers Of Their Children – Report

The report also revealed that firstborn children, particularly sons, are significantly more likely to return negative paternity results. According to the data, firstborn boys recorded a staggering 64 percent exclusion rate—far higher than that of later-born siblings.

Another trend highlighted was the sharp rise in immigration-related DNA testing, which accounted for 13.1 percent of all tests conducted during the period. This spike is attributed to Nigeria’s mass emigration wave, popularly known as the ‘Japa’ phenomenon. “Many of our clients are dual-citizenship families processing DNA documentation for children, often as part of long-term emigration plans,” the report noted.

The data also showed that men are the primary initiators of DNA tests, making up 88.2 percent of requests, compared to 11.8 percent from women. Older men, particularly those aged 41 and above, accounted for 45.5 percent of all cases, suggesting that financial stability plays a major role in seeking paternity verification.

Children aged between zero and five years made up the majority of those tested, at 58.6 percent—an increase from 54 percent in the previous year. Analysts believe this indicates a growing preference among parents for early clarification to prevent future disputes.

The report further revealed that 83.7 percent of DNA tests were conducted for “peace of mind” purposes, while only 1.4 percent were court-mandated. Gender distribution also reflected cultural attitudes, as 53.8 percent of tested children were boys—pointing to a continued emphasis on verifying male lineage for inheritance and family name preservation.

Smart DNA Nigeria called for urgent legal reforms, stressing that Nigeria lacks specific laws addressing paternity fraud, unlike countries such as South Africa. The report also recommended integrating DNA testing into public health policies, premarital counselling, and family planning frameworks to better address the rising challenges.

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