DNA Shock: Is your daddy who you think he is?
Smart DNA, a prominent DNA testing center located in Lagos, Nigeria, has released a comprehensive data analysis of all relationship DNA tests conducted at its facility between July 1, 2022, and June 30, 2023.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that DNA, short for Deoxyribonucleic acid, carries genetic information for the development and functioning of organisms.
DNA testing, also known as genetic testing, is a medical procedure that identifies mutations in genes, chromosomes, or proteins, providing insights into an individual’s ancestral roots.
A DNA relationship test employs genetic profiles to determine biological parentage.
The Smart DNA report, based on thousands of users, offers unprecedented insights into DNA testing trends across Nigeria.
Released on Tuesday, it reveals compelling findings regarding the motivations behind testing, the demographics of those tested, and the test outcomes.
Notably, 73.88 per cent of tests confirmed men as the biological fathers of the children whose paternity they questioned, while 26.12 per cent received negative results.
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In terms of geographical distribution, Lagos accounted for the largest share of tests at 82.89 per cent, followed by Oyo (3.29 per cent), Ogun (3.07 per cent), FCT (2.63 per cent), and Rivers (2.41 per cent).
The high concentration in Lagos, particularly on the Mainland (68.14 per cent) versus the Island (31.86 per cent), likely stems from the location of Smart DNA’s office in Lagos, as well as the state’s economic strength and population density.
The majority of tests (89.10 per cent) were conducted for ‘Peace of Mind,’ followed by ‘Immigration’ (8.97 per cent) and ‘Legal’ (0.64 per cent).
This suggests that individuals primarily seek DNA testing for personal reasons rather than legal or immigration purposes.
Interestingly, men initiated contact in 86.44 per cent of cases, compared to 13.56 per cent initiated by women, indicating that men are more likely to harbour doubts about paternity or other relationships and take the initiative to seek testing.
Regarding the ethnicity of those tested, the Yoruba ethnic group accounted for the highest percentage of tests (61.23 per cent), followed by the Igbo (19.07 per cent), Others (12.08 per cent), and Edo (6.78 per cent). This distribution likely reflects the ethnic makeup of Lagos and its surroundings.
In terms of the child’s sex, more tests were conducted on male children (56.62 per cent) compared to female children (43.38 per cent), possibly indicating a cultural preference for confirming the paternity of male offspring.
Analyzing the age range of those tested, most tests were performed on children aged 0-5 years (58.02 per cent), followed by the 6-12 age group (25.95 per cent). This suggests that paternity tests are predominantly conducted on younger children rather than older ones.
The report revealed that men opting for these DNA tests were mostly between the ages of 31-40 years (40 per cent) and 41-50 years (23 per cent), likely reflecting their financial capacity to afford the testing, especially during the years when they have young children.
Officials of Smart DNA emphasized their commitment to providing fully accredited DNA testing services in line with the highest international standards.
This report aims to shed light on the current trends in relationship DNA testing in Nigeria, contributing to a better understanding of this significant aspect of our society.
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