Globally, Jamaica and Nigeria have some of the highest rates of paternity fraud. Estimates suggest that around 30% of Nigerian paternity tests reveal non-biological fathers, a close second to Jamaica at about 34.6%. Third on this list is Canada, though its rate is significantly lower, around 2.8%.

This startling revelation, based on recent studies and reports from family health organizations, has brought paternity testing to the forefront of family discussions across the nation.

Paternity fraud, where a father is incorrectly identified, often comes to light through DNA testing. Social scientists and health experts highlight cultural, social, and economic factors as contributors to the high rates of paternity fraud in Nigeria and Jamaica.

The high incidence of paternity fraud in Nigeria has substantial implications for both family and broader societal stability. At the family level, discovering paternity fraud often disrupts relationships, leading to emotional distress, mistrust, and family breakdown.

For children, it can have long-term impacts on their identity, mental health, and sense of security. At the societal level, this issue raises ethical and social concerns about fidelity, trust, and the family unit’s integrity. As paternity fraud continues to spark debates in Nigeria, calls for mandatory DNA testing at birth have emerged to mitigate these issues, although this remains a contentious and costly solution.

This discovery has spurred conversation on the need for more open dialogues within families and the possible role of accessible DNA testing services to reduce uncertainty.