1 in 4 Nigerian Men Tested Are Not Biological Fathers – Smart DNA Report

A new report by 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 stir nationwide debate on trust, family, and relationships.

The 2025 Annual DNA Testing Report, which reviewed cases from July 2024 to June 2025, shows that 25% of men tested were excluded from paternity. While slightly lower than the 27% recorded in 2024, experts warn that the consistently high figures point to a “quiet but growing social crisis.”

One of the most striking revelations is the high rejection rate among firstborn sons: 64% were found not to be biologically related to their presumed fathers. Firstborn daughters also showed higher-than-average rejection rates, underscoring the sensitive dynamics of early relationships, pre-marital pregnancies, and cultural expectations of lineage.

Beyond paternity disputes, the report highlights the impact of Nigeria’s mass emigration wave—popularly called Japa. DNA testing linked to immigration, visa, and family reunification cases surged by 13.1%, with many parents now using DNA as a “biological passport” to secure opportunities abroad.

According to Smart DNA, men initiated 88.2% of all tests, with older men (41 years and above) accounting for nearly half of all cases. Most of the children tested were under five, suggesting that doubts often arise early in family life.

Lagos remains the epicentre of DNA testing, contributing 69% of all cases, with Lekki, Yaba, Ajah, Ikorodu, Surulere, and Ikeja ranking as top hotspots. Yoruba clients made up 53% of all cases, Igbo 31.3%, while Hausa participation remained very low at 1.2%, which analysts attribute to cultural and religious sensitivities in Northern Nigeria.

Interestingly, 83.7% of all tests were conducted privately for “peace of mind” rather than for legal purposes, with only 1.4% court-mandated. Most cases involved a single child, pointing to secrecy and highly specific suspicions.

Despite the prevalence of paternity fraud, Nigeria still lacks legislation addressing it. Unlike countries such as South Africa, there is no legal framework to protect men misled about biological parenthood.

“This report is more than science—it is about trust, family stability, and the changing realities of Nigerian society,” said Elizabeth Digia, Operations Manager at Smart DNA. “Behind every statistic is a human story—of betrayal, clarity, or relief. Our goal is to provide answers with compassion and confidentiality.”