A new report from Smart DNA, a prominent DNA testing center in Lagos, reveals a significant rise in DNA testing across Nigeria. The report, released on September 1, covers data from July 2023 to June 2024.
The findings from Smart DNA show a high rate of paternity uncertainty, largely influenced by the increasing trend of migration.
The report indicates that 27 percent of paternity tests returned negative results, meaning that more than one in four men tested were not the biological fathers of the children in question.
The report also notes that a growing number of parents with dual citizenship are conducting DNA tests as part of the process for their children’s emigration paperwork.
Regionally, the report highlights that 73.1 percent of DNA tests were conducted in Lagos, with a notable disparity between the Mainland (67.5 percent) and the Island (32.5 percent).
The report indicates that 53 percent of the tests were conducted among individuals from the southwestern region, followed by 31.3 percent from the southeastern region, while 1.2 percent were from the northern region.
Elizabeth Digia, Smart DNA’s operations manager, commented on the findings: “The high rate of negative paternity tests and the surge in immigration-related testing are particularly noteworthy. These trends reflect broader societal shifts that require further discussion and research. The concentration of testing in Lagos also raises important questions about the accessibility and awareness of DNA testing services across Nigeria.”
