By Sola Ogundipe

Nigeria is known for having one of the highest rates of paternity fraud in the world, second only to Jamaica.

A renowned cytogeneticist and leading Clinical Embryologist, Dr Paul Faduola, has raised concerns about the paternity testing industry.

He points out that there are no regulations in place, which affects the reliability of standard paternity tests and increases the chances of incorrect results.

Faduola, who is the Founder/Chief Executive Officer of OncoGenomics, a Lagos-based molecular diagnostic centre, highlighted the potential for unethical practices in the paternity testing industry, such as prioritising cost over accuracy.

Explaining that traditional paternity testing utilises the Conventional Electrophoresis, CE, technology, which, though effective, has limitations in terms of resolution and accuracy, he argued that with increasing demand for paternity testing, the limitations of the traditional tests emphasise the need to seek laboratories that utilise advanced and reliable technologies to ensure confidence in the accuracy of the test results.

“We are proud to announce a groundbreaking advancement in genetic testing here in Nigeria. This moment represents not just a milestone for OncoGenomics but a significant leap forward for the entire healthcare and legal ecosystem in our nation. We have chosen to embrace NGS technology because it represents the pinnacle of precision, reliability, and innovation,” he noted.

Speaking at the unveiling of Nigeria’s first paternity testing service powered by the revolutionary Next-Generation Sequencing, NGS, technology, he said: “The NGS is a new technology and the first of its kind in Nigeria and West Africa. Even in America and the UK, it’s the top labs that use it. The technology launched in partnership with Karygene and ISN Medicals is being introduced at an introductory cost of N250,000. With this development, Nigerians can now access faster, more reliable paternity test results without compromising quality.”

Faduola said that it was out of the need for accurate and accessible paternity testing in Nigeria that a state-of-the-art facility like OncoGenomis was established.

“We were motivated by the gap observed in Nigeria’s healthcare landscape, where paternity testing relied heavily on sending samples abroad, leading to delays, increased costs, and privacy concerns. Paternity testing is about providing clarity, peace of mind, and solutions to issues that deeply affect families.

“In Nigeria, there is often skepticism and stigma surrounding paternity testing. We saw an opportunity to normalise this vital service by providing education, transparency, and ethical care, demonstrating its importance for family harmony, legal clarity, and societal trust.

“We understand that paternity testing is a deeply personal and sensitive matter. That is why we pioneered NGS with its unparalleled accuracy to reduce the chances of misattribution, mitigating the emotional and social consequences of incorrect paternity results.”

On why NGS is a game-changer, Faduola said, “To confirm that somebody is the father or not the father, there are DNA Short Tandem Repeat, STR, markers that need to be checked. The CE method analyses a limited number of these genetic markers, typically between 15 and 23. “While this can often identify paternity, it may not be sufficient in complex cases and may be inconclusive. NGS technology, on the other hand, analyses up to 1000 markers, providing a much higher level of accuracy and giving a more definitive result.

“By analysing up to 1,000 genetic markers rather than just a limited number of loci, NGS provides a resolution that leaves no room for ambiguity. This ensures results with a probability of paternity exceeding 99.999 per cent, the gold standard worldwide,” he remarked.

Further, Faduola stated that NGS was an innovation that not only redefines the standards of accuracy and reliability in paternity testing but also empowers Nigerians by providing access to world-class diagnostic services right here at home. Beyond paternity testing, NGS offers a wide range of applications, from solving complex forensic cases to revolutionising cancer diagnosis.

Karygene Sales Specialist at ISN Medicals, Mr Olakunle Awojobi confirmed Nigeria’s high rate of paternity fraud, even as he suggested that the actual number may be even higher.

He expressed concern about the lack of transparency in the industry, where some laboratories may use less accurate testing methods to cut costs.

“It’s your right to ask the solution they are making use of. After you’ve asked for the price, you need to ask for the solution they are using, if it’s NGS or CE. Most of the facilities make use of CE because if they are making use of NGS, they should say so to differentiate the results. This is the first in Nigeria and also in West Africa; we need this particular solution in carrying out DNA paternity testing.” Awojobi said by introducing advanced DNA paternity testing technology, ISN aims to revolutionise the industry in Nigeria and West Africa.

“Our goal is to eliminate the need to send samples abroad and provide accurate, timely results. In Nigeria, we are looking at at least five bases and facilities that will be able to invest in this solution. We are working closely with industry experts like Dr. Faduola to establish a network of facilities equipped with this technology. Our collaborative approach will ensure that Nigerians have access to world-class DNA paternity testing services.”