Amid growing concerns over paternity disputes and deepening trust issues in Nigerian households, a fresh report by Smart DNA Nigeria has revealed that one in every four paternity tests still returns a negative result. The Lagos-based genetic testing company, in its 2025 Annual DNA Testing Report released this week, disclosed that 25 per cent of tests conducted between July 2024 and June 2025 confirmed that presumed fathers were not biologically related to the children tested. Although slightly lower than the 27 per cent recorded in 2024, the figure underscores what the firm described as a “disturbing and persistent trend.” Providing insights into the findings, Smart DNA’s Operations Manager, Elizabeth Digia, said: “These results are not just statistics; they reflect deep issues of trust, relationships, and the socio-economic and legal realities confronting Nigerian families. Our duty is to deliver certainty through accurate testing, while ensuring that the sensitive nature of these revelations is handled with care.” The report further highlighted that firstborn children—especially sons—were disproportionately affected, with firstborn boys recording a staggering 64 per cent exclusion rate, far higher than subsequent siblings. It also noted a sharp rise in DNA testing linked to immigration, which accounted for 13.1 per cent of all tests conducted within the year. This surge, the report explained, is driven by Nigeria’s ongoing emigration wave, widely known as the “Japa” phenomenon, as more families pursue documentation required for relocation abroad.