Smart DNA, a leading Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) testing center in Lagos, has released its comprehensive 2024 report on DNA testing trends in Nigeria, covering July 2023 to June 2024.
The report which was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Sunday showed that paternity uncertainty remained high. Which also unveils several astonishing findings that shed light on societal dynamics, economic factors, and changing family structures in Nigeria.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the statistics showed that most of the children tested were aged 0-five (54.0 per cent), suggesting a preference for early paternity confirmation.
Also, it indicated slight gender bias in Child Testing as more tests were conducted on male children (52.8 per cent) than female children (47.2 per cent), insinuating a a possible cultural preference for confirming paternity of male offspring.
According to the report, peace of mind dominates reasons for the DNA testings as the majority of tests (85.9 per cent) were conducted for ‘Peace of Mind’, rather than legal motivations, It also showed Immigration Tests surge, indicating that the “Japa” trend was high.
The report noted a significant increase in DNA tests for immigration purposes, growing more than any other test type, as more Nigerians seek opportunities abroad.
The trend also suggested that a growing number of parents with dual citizenship were processing paperwork for their children’s emigration
On regional dominance, the report showed that Lagos dominated, a reflection of economic disparity.
An overwhelming 73.1 per cent of all DNA tests were conducted in Lagos, with a stark divide between Mainland (67.5 per cent) and Island (32.5 per cent). While this concentration highlighted the economic divide within Lagos and across Nigeria, raising questions about access to such services in other parts of the country. which also shows that the Yoruba ethnic group accounted for 53 per cent of tests, followed by Igbo (31.3 per cent), with Hausa at only 1.20 per cent.