10 Reasons Paternity Fraud is Thriving in Nigeria

In recent years, the issue of paternity fraud has become a pervasive and often sensationalised topic of public discourse in Nigeria.

Stories of men discovering they are not the biological fathers of the children they have raised, sometimes for decades, have sparked widespread debate and emotional anguish.

While public discussion is often driven by social media, the issue itself is deeply rooted in a complex web of social, economic, cultural, and legal factors.

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Paternity fraud, defined as the deception of a man into believing he is the biological father of a child when he is not, is a global phenomenon.

However, in Nigeria, it appears to be particularly prevalent, with some unverified reports from private DNA testing centres suggesting alarmingly high rates of exclusion.

A 2025 report from a Lagos-based genetic testing company, Smart DNA Nigeria, revealed a startling statistic: one in every four paternity tests conducted between July 2024 and June 2025 returned a negative result.

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Elizabeth Digia, Operations Manager at Smart DNA, noted that these findings “tell us something profound about trust, relationships, and the legal and economic realities of Nigerian families today.”

This feature article delves into 10 key reasons why paternity fraud is thriving in Nigeria.

1. Societal pressure to bear Children

In many Nigerian cultures, a woman’s value and social status are inextricably linked to her ability to give birth, especially to a male child.

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This immense pressure from family and society to produce offspring can push women to desperate measures, including seeking a child outside of their marriage if their husband is infertile or impotent.

The social stigma of childlessness is often considered far worse than infidelity, leading some women to commit paternity fraud as a means of survival and social acceptance.

2. High Emphasis on Bloodline and Inheritance

Nigerian society is largely patrilineal, meaning lineage and inheritance are traced through the male line.

The idea of having a “seed” to carry on the family name and inherit property is a cornerstone of family life. This cultural obsession with bloodlines makes a man’s legacy dependent on the paternity of his children. Discovering paternity fraud not only shatters a man’s identity but also threatens his entire family lineage and the future of his assets, providing a strong motivation for deception.

3. Economic and Financial Dependency

For many women, particularly in a society with high unemployment and limited opportunities, a child can be seen as a form of economic security.

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If a man is wealthy, a woman might deceive him into accepting a child that is not his to secure financial support for herself and the child. This is a cold and calculated act of deception, rooted in the harsh realities of economic survival.

4. Limited Access to Legal Recourse

The legal framework in Nigeria has historically been inadequate in addressing paternity fraud. There is a notable absence of explicit laws that criminalise paternity fraud, which leaves affected men with limited legal options.

According to a legal expert from the LEGAL IDEAS FORUM, victims may be able to sue under the tort of deceit, but this is often a difficult and lengthy process with no guarantee of compensation for the immense financial and emotional trauma suffered.

The lack of a clear legal deterrent means there are few consequences for the perpetrator.

5. The Culture of “Letting Sleeping Dogs Lie”

Culturally, there is a strong inclination to maintain the peace and preserve the family unit, even at the cost of truth. Many older generations and even legal practitioners advise against DNA testing, viewing it as a sign of distrust that could destroy a home.

This social pressure, combined with the shame associated with infidelity, creates an environment where paternity secrets are hushed rather than exposed.

A writer for Vanguard News, Francis Ewherido, puts it, “Some women are coming out to advise and condemn men for carrying out DNA tests on their children. How can you condemn men when we have the second-highest number of paternity fraud in the world? It is becoming very important for children to look more like their fathers.”

6. Erosion of Traditional and Religious Morality

While Nigeria is a deeply religious country, many experts point to a decline in moral values, especially in urban areas. The rise of a more secular, “free-thinking” culture and the increased normalisation of pre-marital and extra-marital sexual relationships have contributed to a breakdown of traditional family structures and trust.

According to a study in The Nigerian Journal of Sociology and Anthropology, “rising paternity fraud cases are pointers to the fact that the society that we live in is waning in values, morals, fidelity, and trust.”

7. The Role of Unwanted Pregnancies

For women with an unwanted pregnancy, perhaps from a brief affair or multiple partners, “pinning” the pregnancy on a man who is willing to take responsibility is a way to avoid social disgrace and the stigma of being an unmarried mother.

This is especially prevalent in situations where the biological father is unknown or unwilling to accept paternity. The deception is not always malicious, but a desperate act to create a stable future for the child and avoid social ostracism.

8. Affordability and Accessibility of DNA Testing

The rising affordability and accessibility of DNA testing have made it easier for men to verify paternity, but it has also brought the issue to the forefront of public consciousness.

Previously, paternity disputes were often resolved through physical resemblance or local proverbs. Now, a simple swab test can unravel a lifetime of deceit. This technological advancement, while a tool for truth, also serves to highlight the scale of the problem and fuels the demand for more testing.

9. Lack of Education and Awareness

Despite the widespread media coverage, there is still a significant lack of public awareness, especially in rural areas, about the medical and legal aspects of paternity.

Many people are unaware of the emotional, psychological, and financial consequences of paternity fraud. A lack of education on family planning and the legal rights of children also contributes to a culture where such deception can occur more easily.

10. The Infertility Scourge

Male infertility, whether known or unknown to a couple, is a major driver of paternity fraud.

In a society where the pressure to have children is paramount, some women whose husbands are unable to impregnate them may resort to infidelity to conceive a child.

This is seen as a way to “save” the marriage and protect the husband from the shame of being infertile, a condition that can be viewed as a sign of weakness in some cultures. The deception is a desperate attempt to maintain the social fabric of the family.

Paternity fraud in Nigeria is not a simple issue of infidelity. It is a deeply complex social problem that highlights the tension between modern societal values and traditional cultural norms.

While technology provides a clear-cut way to determine paternity, the underlying issues of societal pressure, economic hardship, and a wane in moral values continue to fuel the practice.

As a result, men, women, and most importantly, children are left to navigate the devastating consequences of broken trust and shattered family identities.