Smart DNA’s 2024 Report: The gaps, the unanswered questions- Ibidapo Balogun

The recently released Smart DNA’s 2024 report revealed findings, which included that one in four men tested are not the biological fathers of their children.

According to the report, 27% of the paternity tests conducted returned negative results.

The report also dwelt on ethnic distribution of those tested, highlighting that the Yoruba ethnic group accounted for 53% of the DNA tests, followed by the Igbo at 31.3% and Hausa at only 1.2%.

However, there are gaps in the report as well as unanswered questions. Here are four of these questions:

One, an overwhelming 73.1% of the DNA tests were conducted in Lagos and with even a strong divide between the Mainland (67.5%) and Island (32.5%). This not only means the concentration of the tests is limited and not widespread, it also signposts the wide economic disparity between Lagos and other parts of the country. What about other parts of the country? How accessible is the DNA test service?

Two, following the report, there is gender imbalance in the initiation of the DNA tests as the report also showed that a huge number of men, 88.2%, accounted for the tests as opposed to a mere 11.8% initiated by women. This significant gender disparity in the initiation of the tests, according to experts, raises questions about gender roles and trust issues in relationships. Because of this disparity in the tests initiation, the test results are bound to weigh heavily on the side of men than women, which perhaps is why it posted the outcome that one in four men tested returned negative results. But there are also proven cases of women not being biological mothers of the children they call their own. If more women were tested, perhaps the results would have been different.

Three, the report highlighted ethnic distribution of the tested persons. The number tested is not representative of the national demographics of the three ethnic groups and as such any generalization on the basis of that distribution is flawed and unreliable. The Yoruba predominate in Lagos and it is expected that any survey done in Lagos will automatically sample more of the Yoruba people. It might have been in realization of this fact that the report, however, suggested that the ethnic distribution should prompt discussions about cultural attitudes towards paternity tests and genetic science across different ethnicities in the country.

Four, the report noted a marked increase in DNA tests for immigration purposes more than for any other reason. This, according to the report, aligns more with the ongoing ‘Japa’phenomenon as more Nigerians seek the greener pastures abroad. Many people with dual citizenship are processing paperwork for their children’s emigration. But it would be inappropriate to see the report as answering for which of the ethnicities engage more in ‘Japa’ syndrome because of the limitations of the survey?

The Smart DNA’s 2024 report covers the period -July 2023 to June 2024-. It unearths results that at least shed light on many issues like societal dynamics, economic and trust issues in families and relationships.