A VIRAL claim circulating across Nigerian media and social platforms suggests that “one in four fathers in Nigeria is unknowingly raising a child that is not theirs biologically.” The claim cites a 2025 annual report from Smart DNA Nigeria, a Lagos-based laboratory specializing in genetic testing.
A close examination of the report and expert analysis by News Point Nigeria, however, reveals that the claim is misleading.
The Claim
Social media posts and some newspaper headlines such as Vanguard’s “1 in 4 Nigerian Fathers Not Biological Parents” argue that 25% of Nigerian men are unknowingly raising non-biological children.
The statistic was linked to Smart DNA Nigeria’s July 2024–June 2025 annual report, which published figures on paternity testing outcomes.
What the Report Actually Says
Smart DNA confirmed that 25% of paternity tests conducted in the last year were negative. In plain terms, one in four men who approached the lab with doubts about paternity turned out not to be the biological father.
The report also noted:
The 25% figure was a slight drop from 27% in 2024.
The data was based only on clients who voluntarily sought DNA tests.
The company explicitly stated that the figures do not represent Nigeria’s general population.
Why the Claim Is Misleading
The men tested already had doubts about paternity, meaning the group was self-selected and high-risk.
Such findings cannot be generalized to all Nigerian families.
Geographic Bias
Over two-thirds of tests were carried out in Lagos, a highly urbanized and diverse city.
Results underrepresent rural and northern communities.
Expert Testimony
Former Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) official, Dr. Phillips Ekpe, explained that in the general population, disputed paternity rates would be far lower, possibly 1 in 10,000 or 1 in 100,000 families.
Misreporting in the Media
Some outlets amplified the “25%” claim without context, framing it as a nationwide crisis.
AFP’s fact-check (Aug. 28, 2025) concluded that the figure had been misinterpreted and sensationalized.
Accuracy of Individual DNA Tests
It’s important to distinguish between individual DNA test accuracy and aggregate statistics.
Accredited labs like Smart DNA, SYNLAB, and Clinix operate under ISO 17025/15189 standards.
Individual DNA test results are 99.99% accurate.
The problem lies not in the science, but in media misinterpretation of the broader data.
Additional Context from the Report
Cultural Influence: Patrilineal traditions tied to inheritance led to more boys than girls being tested.
Migration Trend: There was a 13% increase in DNA testing for immigration purposes, linked to the “Japa” wave of Nigerians relocating abroad.
Policy Recommendations: Smart DNA advised legislators to create clearer legal frameworks around DNA testing, custody, and inheritance disputes.
Verdict: Misleading
The claim that “25% of Nigerian fathers are not the biological parents of their children” is misleading.
The 25% statistic only applies to men who already doubted paternity and chose to undergo DNA testing.
It cannot be extrapolated to Nigeria’s general population.
Media outlets that reported it as a nationwide crisis misrepresented the data, fuelling unnecessary panic and mistrust.
In short: Nigeria is not experiencing a 25% paternity fraud crisis. The figure reflects a narrow, high-risk sample not the nation as a whole.