A leading specialised and molecular laboratory, DNA-Harley and Rainbow Specialised Laboratories, with headquarters at 72, Adeniyi Jones Avenue, Ikeja, Lagos, has called for the introduction of mandatory DNA paternity tests as part of the birth registration process in Nigeria.
This recommendation follows a shocking revelation that six out of 10 Nigerian men who undergo paternity tests are not the biological fathers of their supposed children.
The revelation was according to the 2024 statistics of results of all DNA paternity tests from DNA-Harley and Rainbow Specialised Laboratories.
The debate surrounding paternity testing has gained attention in light of recent high-profile cases, including the controversial child paternity test saga involving the late Nigerian musician, MohBad.
The case has sparked public discussions about the integrity of paternal claims and the emotional and legal challenges that can arise when fatherhood is uncertain.
A DNA paternity test is a scientific procedure used to determine whether an individual is the biological father or mother of a child.
By comparing genetic material from the potential father and the child, the test can accurately establish biological parentage up to 99.99 per cent accuracy, when performed appropriately and in an accredited facility.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of DNA-Harley and Rainbow Specialised Laboratories, Ademolu Owoyele, said the test offered over 99.9 per cent accuracy when carried out correctly.
Asked what are the common reasons people come for DNA paternity tests in his laboratory, Owoyele said many people seek paternity tests for various reasons, such as doubts about a child’s biological father, inheritance concerns, or disputes arising from divorce or infidelity.
Essentially, reasons for DNA paternity testing fall into two broad categories, which could be for peace of mind or for legal reasons such as highlighted above.
Owoyele noted that the laboratory had seen an increasing number of requests for paternity tests, with almost half, at 47 per cent of Nigerian men tested, discovering they were not the biological fathers of the children they believed were theirs.
Owoyele added, “It is also important to note that for these people to come, there would have already been some form of doubt.
People come to us because of uncertainties in their family lives – whether it’s for emotional reasons, child support issues, or simply to confirm biological ties.
Explaining how DNA paternity tests are conducted, he explained that it is typically performed by collecting a buccal (cheek) swab from both the father and the child.
He enthused, “These swabs, which collect cells without pain from the inside of the mouth, are then sent to the laboratory, where DNA is extracted and compared.
Blood is another sample that can be used and in some cases, other samples such as hair, or nail clippings may be used, but this is rare.
On how long it takes for the results to be ready, Owoyele said, “Gone are the days when DNA paternity test results take four weeks and beyond because they are sent out of the country.
He said, “Our clients get their results within seven working days and usually less.
He also noted that if research is conducted into the firstborn child of many families, it would not be uncommon that a significant number of those firstborns would fail the DNA paternity test.
He said this was so because many people engaged in multiple relationships, even close to their wedding day.
So it has not come as a surprise to us that we see a high number of paternity fraud cases.
