Mental health experts are shedding light on the growing issue of paternity fraud in Nigeria, emphasizing that the phenomenon is not solely the result of infidelity. Psychologists suggest that a variety of factors, including medical errors, genetic testing inaccuracies, and baby exchanges, could also lead to paternity discrepancies.
This comes amid rising concerns about paternity fraud, as recent DNA reports reveal that many Nigerian men are not the biological fathers of children they believed to be theirs. According to a 2024 report by DNA testing centre Smart DNA, nearly 27% of paternity tests conducted in Nigeria returned negative, meaning more than one in four men tested were not the biological fathers.
Dr. Juliet Ottoh, a clinical psychologist at Lagos University Teaching Hospital, stressed the need to consider all possibilities before concluding that a woman has been unfaithful. “While infidelity is often assumed to be the cause, other factors like negligence, errors in genetic testing, and even baby exchanges in hospitals could be at play,” Ottoh explained. She urged couples to seek thorough investigations and second opinions from reputable laboratories before making any assumptions about paternal identity.
Dr. Samuel Olatoye, a psychologist at the Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta, echoed Ottoh’s views, adding that pre-marital genetic testing and proper counselling could help prevent paternity disputes. “Negligence and ignorance play a role in many of these cases. Couples should confirm their genetic compatibility through reputable labs before marriage to avoid these issues,” he advised.
The psychologists also warned that paternity fraud can have severe psychological and emotional consequences for both parents and children, with trust issues and mental health challenges likely to arise. Ottoh noted that even conducting a DNA test can create doubts and emotional strain within a family. “When trust is broken, it can affect the child’s sense of identity and security, leading to long-term psychological effects,” she said.
The Smart DNA report revealed that most paternity tests in Nigeria were conducted on children aged zero to five years, reflecting a preference for early confirmation of paternity. The majority of tests were initiated by men, particularly those aged 41 and older, and were often conducted for personal reassurance rather than legal reasons.
As paternity fraud cases continue to surface, psychologists are urging couples to focus on building trust and maintaining open communication, while also advising the use of reliable genetic testing to prevent future disputes.
