A DNA report by Smart DNA Nigeria found that 23.6% of men who underwent paternity testing between July 2025 and June 2026 were excluded as the biological fathers of the children tested.
Nearly one in four men who underwent relationship DNA testing in Nigeria were excluded as the biological fathers of the children tested, according to a new report by Smart DNA Nigeria.
The DNA testing centre recorded 23.6% negative results between July 2025 and June 2026, meaning the alleged father was excluded as the biological father. When inconclusive results are excluded, the negative rate rises slightly to 23.7%.
Smart DNA said the finding continued a pattern seen in its previous reporting period, although it cautioned against interpreting the figure as meaning that one in four Nigerian children is being raised by a non-biological father.
“The 'about one in four' pattern observed in our previous reporting period remains largely unchanged, with negative outcomes at 23.6%,” the report states.
