Nigeria’s paternity exclusion rate currently stands at 25%, according to the 2025 Annual DNA Testing Report. Furthermore, the alarming report was carried out from a testing institution in Lagos. This revelation has sparked new worries amongs men. Based on the report, it means that one out of every four males tested is not the child’s biological father.
In addition, the survey Smart DNA released weeks back showed that paternity issues affected firstborn children the most. Moreover, based on data collected, firstborn sons made up 64% of negative findings.
Parternity Test on Rampage
The discoveries of paternity fraud have sparked public debate across the nation. Undoubtedly, many men are now declaring they will test their children for paternity and resolve any issues the study raised. According to Samuel Adegbite, a digital entrepreneur based in Lagos, said he was thinking of testing his kids’ DNA.
“I had never really seriously considered conducting a DNA test on my children, but with this recent news and the types of things I hear these days, I will do it soon,” he stated in an interview with Saturday PUNCH.
Even the thought of not trusting my wife makes me feel guilty. However, I simply must do it for my own mental health. Every man, in my opinion, has a persistent “what if” question. Hence, I simply want to be certain of my children’s paternity for good.
He claimed that even though he had never had any reason to doubt his wife. However, he felt concerned since two of his children showed specific qualities that neither he nor his wife shared.
“Two of my children are very expressive and extroverted,” he remarked. “My spouse and I, on the other hand, stay quiet and reserved. In fact, many individuals naively say that they are completely unlike us. Meanwhile, my first child behaves just like me and almost perfectly replicates me. I never really thought much about it, but recently—even before the publication of the paper you’re referring to—I have been thinking about it a lot.” I have decided to take my three kids to get tested as soon as I am financially secure.
Alabi James, a fashion designer and father of three, asserted to the contrary. Surely, according to him, he has no reason to question the paternity of his children. “I trust my wife from the beginning, and my children show definite familial characteristics. I have never considered otherwise for these and other reasons,” he remarked.
Suspicion Arises When Trust is Broken
James added that suspicion arises only when trust is broken. According to him “This generation has overlooked the virtues of endurance and tolerance,” he said. He advised being content with whatever your partner can afford.
Another father, who identified himself as Mr. Odunusi, said that it never crossed his mind to get a DNA test . For this reason does not think towards such for his children, citing the striking resemblance he shares with them.
Another man, Emmanuel Ajayi, described the trend as “scary,” stressing the emotional toll it could have on unsuspecting fathers.
He said, “How can a man live with children he believes are his, only to later find out they are not? Although I trust my wife would never do such a thing, I might consider it myself if I have enough money—just for the sake of it.”
Test A Necessity But Not Urgent
On the contrary to others Mr. Chibueze Uzor, a father of four, believes the test is necessary but not urgent. “We all know women cannot be trusted. I will do the DNA test but not now,” he said. Asked if he had doubts about the paternity of his children, he responded, “At all. But I will do it to clear all forms of doubt.”
Resemblance may be Deceptive
Dede Gilbert, a genetic and molecular expert with Easy Genetics, which partners with Alpha Bio Labs in the United Kingdom and Universal Forensics in the United States, explained the science and realities behind paternity testing.
He said, “Everyone has 23 pairs of chromosomes. 22 are autosomes while the last pair is the sex chromosome, which determines a person’s gender.
“During DNA testing, we analyse all 23 pairs, and we also calculate the combined paternity index to ensure the result is accurate. “We conduct maternity and paternity testing, and we also perform what we call avuncular testing, which establishes sibling relationships.”
“If we conduct a paternity test, we take a sample from the alleged father and the child. For a maternity test, we use the mother’s sample. When the father is not available for a paternity test, we test his sibling, preferably a male.”
“It is very possible to look like someone who isn’t your biological parent,” the expert remarked. This is in response to the question of why physical similarity might be deceptive. We refer to that as phenotype. Every young youngster eventually resembles everyone. Physical characteristics become increasingly pronounced as they age and it will be clear if your child looks like you. However, to clear any doubts, a test is the most reliable method to find out.
Negative Paternity Result Not A True Reflection of The Society
He emphasised that individuals frequently misinterpret the figures on the increase in reported negative paternity results. “Those who come for DNA testing typically already have strong suspicions; they do not represent a random sample of society.”
A test might be necessary, for instance, if a couple lives together harmoniously and the guy notices certain discrepancies. For example, if his wife claims to be at a conference but appearing elsewhere. Because people need to prove a biological tie when moving with a child, some seek testing for immigration considerations. Some people do the test because of legal disputes.
As a result, these figures do not accurately represent the total population. Statistics describe such a group as a “skewed population.” Hence, you cannot use their findings to evaluate the population as a whole.
Similarly, Ayodele Adeniyi, a DNA specialist, clarified that although more and more people were choosing the test. However, doctors did not consider it a standard medical necessity.
According to Dr. Adeniyi “We have handled two to three out of ten cases that showed the man is not the father. However, this does not directly represent the population,” he said. A lot of people who visit us already have suspicions, such discovering a wife cheating or believing rumours. The tests are carried out in US labs and take roughly two weeks to complete.
“In roughly one test out of ten that we’ve done, the man is not the child’s father,” she stated. You need to have a DNA test whenever there are doubts, particularly when trust issues arise. But I don’t think you need be concerned if you trust your wife. Additionally, you can do it for each and every one of your offspring if you have the money.
Unreliable traditional DNA
Efunsetan Ifagbemi, an activist and Ifa supporter, insisted that many communities used traditional techniques to establish a child’s paternity. According to Ifagbemi, this agelong practice predates the scientific DNA testing of today.
She claims that some riverine regions still practice a custom known as “traditional DNA.” Furthermore, tossing a child into a river or setting them on water is one of the most popular customs. According to community elders, the water, a revered entity, “accepts” a child with valid ancestry and “rejects” one with dubious parentage. Many times, people assume that the infant will float momentarily or that the water will securely transport it. They also interpret sinking or struggling as an indication of illegitimacy.
“These customs reflect traditional ideas about heredity, purity, and the spiritual function of natural forces in protecting truth. Even though outsiders may find them bizzare or startling, nevertheless, it is what they believe in. In certain cultures, people view water as an unbiased arbiter, and they revere rivers as gods. Such customs allow families to settle conflicts without resorting to contemporary science,” she said.
According to a traditionalist who asked not to be named, elders in some Igbo communities used divination oracles. Consequently, the spiritualist would ask the gods if a man fathered a child or not.
These methods still carry risks.
Several places have abandoned the water ritual after critics chastised it for endangering children’s lives. Some human rights activists contend that these practices constitute child abuse and dehumanization of the woman. Also, the medical professionals point out that modern DNA testing provides more trustworthy proof than cultural techniques.
Celebrities caught in paternity fraud controversies
In the entertainment sector, where DNA scandals have attracted media attention, people have increasingly practiced paternity fraud.
Mohbad
The latest and most poignant example involved the late musician Ilerioluwa Aloba, better known by his stage name Mohbad. Indeed, till date, his untimely death in September 2023 still sparks controversy. After Mohbad’s father, Joseph Aloba, publicly demanded a DNA test to determine whether the boy was actually his grandson. However, this brought about intense discussion focused on the paternity of his son, Liam.
In sum, the story of Mohbad represents just the most recent case in a long line of celebrity DNA scandals. For example, Davido, a popular figure in Afrobeats, has faced paternity battles on multiple occasions. Several women have accused him of fathering their children over the years, leading to DNA testing and public disputes.
Davido
Ayotomide Labinjo, who claimed to have a daughter named Aanuoluwapo with the singer Davido following a relationship in 2013. According to her, she said that when she revealed she was pregnant, Davido stopped talking to her.
Additionally, Labinjo said that when Davido’s father set up a test, someone falsified the results. This was done to show that Davido was not the biological father, claiming that the test only measured blood type and did not analyze DNA. However, the Adeleke family denied any wrong doing and even went ahead to give them money out of sympathy. According to his brother, Adewale Adeleke, he maintained that the test definitively proved the result and that they carried it out correctly in front of all stakeholders.
Nedu
On-Air Personality Chinedu Emmanuel, better known by his stage name as Nedu Wazobia, is another celebrity whose personal life changed drastically after a DNA discovery. The comedian and broadcaster led a contentious public argument with his divorced wife in 2021.
Femi Kuti
Femi Kuti, the Afrobeat king, also openly acknowledged that a 2006 DNA test showed two of his children were not biologically his.
He explained why he took the test: “It happened eight years ago. I went into the room where one of my girlfriends was on the phone with one of her lovers, grabbed the phone, and found out she was speaking to someone else.”
My sister suggested that I address the matter because a rumour had already spread at the Shrine that one of my children didn’t look like me. I brought all of my kids for a DNA test due to family and security concerns, and I discovered that two of them weren’t mine,” he stated.
But the musician said in an interview with Saturday Beats that he had previously talked about what had happened to him and could not tell anyone if they should do a DNA test or not.
“I have no business with people who even want to accept children that are not theirs,” he stated. Everyone should do DNA testing if they want to, and nobody should do it if they don’t want to. You are old enough to decide whether or not to undertake DNA testing as soon as you have a child.
Conclusion
In this age and time where infidelity is almost a norm. It is desirable to have a DNA paternity test done if there are strong suspicion. It could be via the children’s look(s) or the woman’s attitudes or unexplainable outings. Such will be expedient to safe one from suffering from mental health issues or hign blood pressure.
