Nearly one in four paternity tests conducted by a private DNA testing company in Nigeria in 2025/2026 found that the men tested were not the biological fathers of the children in question.
Smart DNA Nigeria, a leading DNA testing centre based in Lagos, said 23.6% of paternity tests conducted during the period returned negative results. This was a slight decline from 24%recorded the previous year and 26.1% in 2023.
The centre offers a range of DNA testing services, including paternity, maternity, relationship and genetic condition tests, with services also available for immigration purposes.
However, Smart DNA Nigeria cautioned against interpreting its findings as evidence that one in four Nigerian children has a different biological father.
The Lagos-based company explained that the people who seek paternity testing are not a random sample of Nigeria’s population.
Most of the tests—87%—were private “peace of mind” tests rather than tests required for court proceedings or immigration purposes.
Men initiated nearly 79% of inquiries, while almost half of the male clients were aged 41 or older.
The centre said about three-quarters of its recorded cases came from Lagos, Nigeria’s largest city and commercial hub, although demand for DNA testing is increasingly growing in other parts of the country.
Smart DNA Nigeria is an internationally accredited DNA testing centre and conducts embassy-approved DNA tests for immigration purposes. It said its services are designed to provide clients with certainty and peace of mind regarding biological parentage and genetic conditions.
The centre also said DNA test results are typically ready within seven to 10 working days.
The latest figures therefore provide insight into the outcomes among people who sought paternity testing through the company, but do not represent the prevalence of disputed paternity across Nigeria as a whole.
