A recent report by Smart DNA Nigeria has revealed that one in every four paternity tests conducted in the country over the past year returned negative results, indicating that many presumed fathers are not the biological parents of their children.

The 2025 Annual DNA Testing Report, covering July 2024 to June 2025, showed that 25% of paternity tests excluded presumed fathers—a slight decrease from 27% recorded in 2024. The report highlights a continuing paternity challenge in Nigeria, with firstborn sons most likely to test negative, accounting for 64% of discrepancies.

The study also noted a surge in DNA tests connected to migration. “Immigration-related DNA tests grew by 13.1%, reflecting the impact of the ‘Japa’ wave, as families increasingly seek verification for dual citizenship and relocation,” the report stated.

Gender disparities were significant, with men initiating 88.2% of all tests compared to 11.8% for women. Older men aged 41 and above made up 45.5% of clients, while most tests involved children aged 0–5 years (58.6%).

Geographically, Lagos remained the leading centre for DNA testing, representing 69% of cases. Within the state, demand shifted from the Mainland, which decreased to 59.4%, to the Island, which increased to 40.6%. Lekki accounted for 20.3%, Yaba 15.8%, and both Ajah and Ikorodu 10.5% each.

Ethnic analysis revealed Yoruba clients dominated at 53%, followed by Igbo at 31.3%, while Hausa clients made up just 1.2%.

The majority of tests—83.7%—were conducted for personal reassurance rather than legal purposes, with only 1.4% court-mandated. Families mostly tested a single child (80%), indicating targeted concerns rather than general suspicion. Slightly more male children (53.8%) than females (46.2%) were tested, reflecting cultural emphasis on lineage and inheritance.

“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 Elizabeth Digia, Operations Manager at Smart DNA.

The report further recommends legal reforms to address paternity fraud, incorporation of DNA testing into public health programmes, and educational campaigns to address misconceptions surrounding DNA testing in Nigeria.

JJC Skillz Opens Up on Transition from Music to Nollywood

Famous filmmaker and former musician JJC Skillz has revealed the motivations and challenges behind his shift from the music industry to Nollywood. In an interview with Channels TV, he explained that moving away from music was driven by both age and a passion for storytelling.

“As far back as I can remember, I have been shooting music videos for years. Even my ‘We Are Africans’ video, I shot that myself. But after doing African Gang in 2011, I realised I was getting too old for the young scene, so I knew it was time to evolve. I packed my bags and moved into Nollywood. I was very passionate about telling stories,” he said.