A growing number of Nigerians are demanding that DNA tests be made mandatory at birth, following the release of new data highlighting a persistent paternity crisis in the country.
The debate was reignited after Smart DNA Nigeria, a Lagos-based genetic testing company, published its 2025 Annual DNA Testing Report. The report revealed that one in four paternity tests in Nigeria returned negative results, meaning the presumed father was not the biological parent of the child.
Covering the period between July 2024 and June 2025, the study showed that 25 percent of presumed fathers tested were unrelated to the children in question. Although slightly lower than the 27 percent recorded in 2024, experts described the figure as a “worrying and consistent trend.”
“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,” said Smart DNA’s Operations Manager, Elizabeth Digia.
In response to the report, Vanguard newspaper conducted an online poll on X (formerly Twitter) to gauge public opinion. The survey revealed that 78 percent of Nigerians support making DNA tests mandatory at birth to prevent future disputes.
About 8.8 percent of respondents opposed the idea, arguing that it constituted an invasion of privacy, while 13.2 percent said they were undecided but stressed that such testing should be regulated by law.
Vanguard also launched a follow-up poll to explore perceptions of who suffers the most in cases of paternity disputes. A majority of respondents (68.7 percent) pointed to fathers as the hardest hit, while 23.4 percent said children suffer most.
Only 5.6 percent attributed the greatest burden to mothers, while 2.3 percent believed society at large bears the heaviest consequences.
Online reactions to the report underscored mounting public concern over what many describe as a “deepening paternity crisis.” Commentators argue that the fallout from such disputes extends beyond families to issues of inheritance, custody battles, and the social wellbeing of children.
“The emotional trauma and legal complications that arise from false paternity are immense,” said Lagos-based lawyer, Olumide Fashina. “Mandatory DNA testing could bring clarity and fairness, but it also raises sensitive questions about privacy, trust, and marital stability.”
Some Nigerians caution that while mandatory testing could reduce disputes, it might also destabilize families and increase mistrust between partners. “This policy could end up creating more broken homes than it solves,” one X user argued.
The rising debate has caught the attention of lawmakers and policy experts, who say the issue deserves national discussion. Public health authorities are also weighing the potential costs and logistics of integrating DNA testing into Nigeria’s birth registration system.
For now, the controversy continues to stir online and offline conversations, with many Nigerians awaiting whether policymakers will act on the growing calls to make DNA testing at birth a legal requirement.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
