Recent reports of paternity discrepancies, revealed through DNA testing, have sparked discussions around the true causes of paternity fraud in Nigeria. While infidelity is often blamed, psychologists and health experts have highlighted other contributing factors, such as medical errors, negligence, and inaccuracies in genetic testing.
In exclusive interviews, experts noted that paternity fraud—where children are falsely attributed to men who are not their biological fathers—could be caused by several issues beyond infidelity. They urged couples to consider these variables before making conclusions.
Dr. Juliet Ottoh, a clinical psychologist at Lagos University Teaching Hospital, emphasized that errors in hospitals, such as baby exchanges, and mistakes in genetic testing could also lead to paternity disputes. She advised couples to seek second opinions from reputable labs when conducting genetic tests, adding that comprehensive genetic screening before marriage could prevent future disputes.
“It’s not always about infidelity,” Ottoh explained. “Medical negligence, test errors, and ignorance can also be factors. Couples should explore all possibilities, and thorough investigations should be conducted before assumptions are made.”
Dr. Samuel Olatoye, a psychologist at the Federal Medical Centre in Abeokuta, echoed these sentiments, stressing the importance of proper genetic counselling before marriage. He noted that preventive measures, such as accurate genetic testing, could help avoid paternity fraud.
The psychological toll of paternity fraud can be severe, impacting marriages, mental health, and family dynamics. Experts warn that discovering a child is not biologically related to their supposed father can lead to trust issues, marital breakdowns, and emotional trauma for both the parents and the child.
The release of the 2024 report by Smart DNA, a leading DNA testing centre in Nigeria, further fueled concerns. The report revealed that nearly 27% of paternity tests conducted returned negative results, meaning that more than one in four men tested were not the biological fathers of the children in question. The report also highlighted regional and demographic trends in DNA testing, with Lagos accounting for 73% of tests and a majority being conducted on children aged zero to five years.
As paternity fraud cases continue to surface, experts are calling for better awareness of the potential causes and urging couples to approach the issue with caution, seeking professional guidance before making life-altering decisions.
