Ademolu Owoyele, managing director and chief executive officer of DNA-Harley and Rainbow Specialised Laboratories, has called for the introduction of mandatory DNA paternity tests as part of the birth registration process in Nigeria.
He made this call following the shocking revelation that six out of 10 Nigerian men who undergo paternity tests are not the biological fathers of their children, according to 2024 statistics of results of all DNA Paternity tests from DNA-Harley and Rainbow Specialised Laboratories.
“Many families are built on uncertainty, and this often leads to conflict and social challenges. 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,” Owoyele stated, disclosing that the laboratory has seen an increasing number of requests for paternity tests.
Read also: DNA test: One in four Nigerian men not biological fathers of their children – Report
He argued that making DNA paternity testing mandatory for all births in Nigeria would help reduce cases of paternity fraud, including swapping of babies at birth either by error of omission or commission in some hospitals. He clarified further that conducting such tests will help provide greater clarity to families in such matters.
Owoyele further explained that DNA paternity is performed by collecting a buccal (cheek) swab from both the father and the child.
“These swabs, which collect cells painlessly 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.”
According to Owoyele, DNA test results are ready in seven working days or less; disclosing that gone are the days when DNA Paternity test results take about four weeks and beyond because they are sent out of the country.
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