Smart DNA, a leading DNA testing centre in Lagos State, has released its comprehensive 2024 report on DNA testing trends in Nigeria, covering July 2023 to June 2024.
The report unveils several astonishing findings that shed light on societal dynamics, economic factors, and changing family structures in Nigeria.
The report released on Sunday in Lagos showed that paternity uncertainty remained high.
According to it, 27 per cent of paternity tests conducted came back negative, indicating that more than one in four men tested are not the biological fathers of the children in question.
It also showed Immigration Tests surge, indicating that the “Japa” trend was high.
The report noted a significant increase in DNA tests for immigration purposes, growing more than any other test type, as more Nigerians seek opportunities abroad.
The trend also suggested that a growing number of parents with dual citizenship were processing paperwork for their children’s emigration
On regional dominance, the report showed that Lagos dominated, a reflection of economic disparity.
An overwhelming 73.1 per cent of DNA tests were conducted in Lagos, with a stark divide between Mainland (67.5 per cent) and Island (32.5 per cent).
This concentration highlighted the economic divide within Lagos and across Nigeria, raising questions about access to such services in other parts of the country.
It also showed that the Yoruba ethnic group accounted for 53 per cent of tests, followed by Igbo (31.3 per cent), with Hausa at only 1.20 per cent.
Men aged 41+ (45.6 per cent) and 31-40 (37.0 per cent) were most likely to request tests, potentially reflective of economic capabilities or increased paternity concerns in older men.
Also, it indicated slight gender bias in child testing as more tests were conducted on male children (52.8 per cent) than female children (47.2 per cent), insinuating a possible cultural preference for confirming paternity of male offspring.
