Smart DNA, a prominent DNA testing center in Lagos, has published its 2024 report on DNA testing trends in Nigeria, covering the period from July 2023 to June 2024. The findings, released on Sunday by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), highlight significant insights into paternity uncertainty, immigration patterns, and regional disparities in DNA testing.
The report reveals that paternity uncertainty remains a pressing issue, with 27% of paternity tests returning negative results. This statistic indicates that over one in four men tested are not the biological fathers of the children in question.
Additionally, the report notes a substantial rise in DNA tests conducted for immigration purposes, reflecting the ongoing “Japa” trend, where more Nigerians seek opportunities abroad. This surge also suggests an increasing number of parents with dual citizenship are preparing to emigrate with their children.
Lagos emerged as the dominant region for DNA testing, accounting for 73.1% of all tests conducted. Within Lagos, the Mainland led with 67.5%, while the Island accounted for 32.5%. This regional concentration highlights the economic disparities within Lagos and raises concerns about access to DNA testing services in other parts of Nigeria.
Ethnically, the Yoruba group represented the majority of tests at 53%, followed by Igbo at 31.3%, and Hausa at just 1.2%.
Elizabeth Digia, Operations Manager at Smart DNA, commented on the report’s findings, emphasizing their significance in understanding the evolving dynamics of Nigerian families and society. She noted the high rate of negative paternity tests and the growing demand for immigration-related testing as key trends worthy of further exploration.
The report also indicated that the majority of paternity tests were conducted on children aged 0-5 years, suggesting a preference for early paternity confirmation. Men aged 41 and above were the most likely to request tests, possibly reflecting heightened paternity concerns among older men. There was also a slight gender bias, with more tests conducted on male children (52.8%) than female children (47.2%).
The report underscores that the primary motivation for DNA testing was for “Peace of Mind,” with 85.9% of tests conducted for personal reassurance rather than legal reasons.
