Paternity crisis: 1 in 4 Nigerian fathers not biological parents — Report
AMID persistent paternity crisis and deepening trust issues within Nigerian families, a new report by Smart DNA Nigeria has revealed that one in every four paternity tests conducted in the country still returns a negative result. In its 2025 Annual DNA Testing Report, released this week, the Lagos-based genetic testing company disclosed that 25 percent of paternity tests conducted between July 2024 and June 2025 showed that the presumed fathers were not biologically related to the children in question. Although slightly lower than 2024’s 27 percent, the figure highlights what the firm calls a “worrying and consistent trend.” The Operations Manager at Smart DNA, Elizabeth Digia, who gave details on the report, said: “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. “Our role is to provide certainty through accurate testing while encouraging sensitive handling of the lif...