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Nigerian DNA Testing: 1 in 4 Paternity Tests Reveal Discrepancies

...Report Highlights High Rate of Paternity Misidentification Amid Surge in Immigration-Related Testing
Smart DNA, a premier DNA testing center in Lagos, has released its comprehensive 2024 report, detailing DNA testing trends in Nigeria from July 2023 to June 2024. The report reveals several startling findings, offering insight into societal shifts, economic influences, and evolving family dynamics in the country.
The report, released in Lagos yesterday, highlights a significant level of paternity uncertainty. It found that 27 percent of paternity tests returned negative results, indicating that more than one in four men tested were not the biological fathers of the children in question.
The report also noted a sharp increase in DNA tests related to immigration, reflecting the ongoing “Japa” trend, where more Nigerians are seeking opportunities abroad. The surge in immigration-related tests suggests that many parents with dual citizenship are processing emigration paperwork for their children.
Lagos emerged as the dominant region for DNA testing, accounting for 73.1 percent of all tests conducted. Within Lagos, a significant divide was observed, with 67.5 percent of tests conducted on the Mainland and 32.5 percent on the Island. This concentration underscores the economic disparities within Lagos and across Nigeria, raising concerns about access to DNA testing services in other regions.
The report also showed that the Yoruba ethnic group made up 53 percent of the tests, followed by the Igbo at 31.3 percent, and the Hausa at just 1.20 percent.
Elizabeth Digia, Operations Manager at Smart DNA, commented on the findings: “These results provide a unique insight into the changing dynamics of Nigerian families and society. The high rate of negative paternity tests and the increase in immigration-related testing are particularly significant. They reflect broader societal trends that deserve further attention and study. The concentration of testing in Lagos raises important questions about the accessibility and awareness of DNA testing services across the country. As a company, we are dedicated to expanding access to our services nationwide while maintaining the highest standards of accuracy and confidentiality.”
The report also indicated that a majority of the children tested were aged between 0 and five years (54.0 percent), suggesting a preference for early paternity confirmation. Men aged 41 and above (45.6 percent) and those aged 31-40 (37.0 percent) were the most likely to request tests, possibly reflecting their economic capacity or increased concerns about paternity at an older age.
Additionally, there was a slight gender bias in child testing, with more tests conducted on male children (52.8 percent) compared to female children (47.2 percent). This could indicate a cultural preference for confirming the paternity of male offspring.
The report noted that the primary reason for DNA testing was for ‘Peace of Mind,’ accounting for 85.9 percent of the tests, rather than legal reasons.
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PANDEF Clarifies Visit To Tinubu, Knocks Wike Over Inflammatory Comments

The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has called on President Bola Tinubu to prevail on the minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike to retract his publicly disparaging remarks made recently against the socio-political body.
PANDEF described as regrerrable and embarrassing comments by Wike in the aftermath of the group’s visit to Tinubu at the State House, Abuja, on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, even to the extent of insulting the late former Federal Commissioner for Information and South-South Leader, Chief Edwin.
Recall that the FCT minister had, on Thursday, during a media chat, described PANDEF as “the worst organisation anybody can rely on”, while also calling the board of trustee members of the body “political merchants”.
In a statement signed by PANDEF Chairman on Saturday in Abuja, Ambassador Godknows Boladei Igali, urged President Tinubu as the father of the nation, to prevail upon the Honourable Minister to retract his inflammatory statements and extend due respect to these eminent.
Igali clarified that the meeting with the president provided a valuable platform to discuss pressing issues of national and regional importance. Adding that “PANDEF remains unwavering in its commitment to peace, stability, and equitable development in the Niger Delta. We will continue to engage with great vigour, all relevant stakeholders in pursuit of lasting harmony in Rivers State and the broader South-South region.”
His words: ^To set the record straight, PANDEF the foremost socio-political body representing the South-South regions, composed of some of Nigeria’s most distinguished personalities. The delegation to Mr. President included chairpersons of at least four of the six SouthSouth states’ traditional councils, senior traditional rulers of major ethnic groups, former governors, past presiding officers of the Senate, prominent entrepreneurs, academics, and high-ranking retired military officers.
“It is, therefore, highly regrettable and totally unacceptable that a serving minister in the Federal Government would exhibit such brazen disrespect towards individuals of this standing. This attitude perhaps explains his continued refusal of the Minister to engage with the Peace and Reconciliation Committee, which PANDEF constituted as far back as October 2024, despite repeated attempts to reach.
“The Honourable Minister (Wike) characterized PANDEF as the worst organization ever” and accused its members of visiting the Presidential Villa merely to solicit financial favors. These statements are not only false but also unbecoming of a public official of his stature.
“PANDEF hereby calls upon Mr. President, as the father of the nation, to prevail upon the Honourable Minister to retract his inflammatory statements and extend due respect to these eminent Nigerians and traditional rulers who were, after all, esteemed guests of the Commander-in-Chief. It is apt to remind that the Minister does not own the Niger-Delta and his errant conduct should not be condoned.
“Notwithstanding this regrettable development, PANDEF remains unwavering in its commitment to peace, stability, and equitable development in the Niger Delta. We will continue to engage with great vigour, all relevant stakeholders in pursuit of lasting harmony in Rivers State and the broader South-South region,” Igali stated.
On efforts to restore peace in River State, Igali restated PANDEF’s commitment for peace in the oil-rich State.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Peace and Reconciliation Committee, which remains committed to resolving the Rivers State crisis,” Igali stated.
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