Three out of every four men who underwent paternity testing with Smart DNA Nigeria were confirmed as the biological fathers of the children tested, according to the company’s 2025/2026 Annual DNA Testing Report.
The report showed that 23.6 per cent of recorded paternity tests returned negative results, meaning the tested man was not the biological father. The figure represents a marginal decline from 24 per cent in the previous reporting period and 26.1 per cent in 2023.
Smart DNA, however, cautioned against interpreting the figures to mean that one in four Nigerian children is not biologically related to the man regarded as their father. The company stressed that its clients were people who had already developed doubts or specific reasons for requesting DNA tests and therefore did not represent a random sample of Nigerian families.
The report found that 87 per cent of the tests conducted were private “Peace of Mind” tests, showing that personal concerns and the desire for certainty were major reasons Nigerians sought DNA testing.
Men above the age of 30 accounted for 83.8 per cent of male clients, while children aged five and below represented 59.5 per cent of tested individuals. Lagos dominated testing activity, accounting for 75.1 per cent of classified cases.
Smart DNA said the figures should be treated carefully because DNA testing provides biological answers but cannot independently explain the social, cultural or relationship circumstances behind a family’s decision to seek testing.
