The use of DNA profiles to determine whether an individual is the biological parent of another individual is known as DNA paternity testing. An expert from Lagos University Teaching Hospital claims that 30% of the Nigerian men who went to paternity testing centres were not the biological fathers of the children in their custody (Source).

Given the statistics, we asked a few Nigerian men about their opinions on DNA testing. Here’s what they had to say:

1. Pablo, 27

I don’t have kids yet, but I’m definitely getting doing the DNA tests once I have them. I think it’s important that men should do it because trust is overrated. I can’t fully trust anyone because nobody is infallible. Every child I have will be DNA tested almost immediately they’re born. My wife won’t know about it though. There’s no point in letting her know about it because she’ll obviously be disappointed that I didn’t trust her enough. If it turns out that the a child is not mine, I’m leaving. I don’t see how you can continue with someone who was going to pin a whole ass child on you.

2. Jonathan, 27

I imagine I would never be in a relationship with someone I don’t trust completely so I don’t think I would ever have to do it. But if there was ever one moment, no matter how small, during the relationship where I question her trust then it’s happening. Even in that case, I would let her know what I’m about to do. It’s not like I’d be asking her for permission. I’d just inform her.

3. Deji, 30

Paternity tests? Count me out. My answer is no because I know that all women do is lie, manipulate men and laugh about men behind their backs. So to preserve my sanity, I wouldn’t even try to find out if she’s been cheating on me because I already know she’s cheating anyways. It would just make things complicated and I don’t want that.

4. Aliu, 31

I didn’t do any paternity tests when I had my kids. I don’t think anything will make me do it. If I were ever to do it though, I would not tell my wife. The point is, my kids are my kids even if anyone thinks they might belong to another man. I also trust my wife implicitly, so that’s the biggest factor here.

5. Nibe, 33

I don’t think it’s necessary. I won’t do it if I don’t see a reason to do it. If all of a sudden, trust issues develop in my marriage, then I’ll go ahead and do the paternity test for my kids and I’ll tell my wife that I’m doing it. There’s no need to hide things like that.

6. Omasola, 23

I think DNA testing is important in situations of doubt, when the mother is unsure of the paternity of the child or when there’s suspicion of paternity fraud. Except I see a very compelling reason to, I would not do a DNA test. For me to a DNA test on my child that means I suspect that the child isn’t mine and my partner cheated on me. So if I don’t have any reason to suspect that my partner cheated on me I won’t do a DNA test. Also, I am AA, so if my partner is AA/AS and the child is SS, that’s a compelling reason to know the child isn’t mine and back up my claim with a DNA test. If I’m going to do a DNA test it would be for a valid reason and I won’t tell anyone, I have a right to know whether the child is mine or not so I would do it without informing my partner. And if I find out that the child isn’t mine, it’s goodbye to the both of them.

7. Michael, 27

Imagine the emotional and mental damage it would cause if you found out that the child you’ve been caring for all your life isn’t yours. Nobody even has to know that you’re taking the child’s nails or hair, just do it and save yourself. That’s the only way any man can be really sure the child is theirs so I don’t see any reason why we shouldn’t do it.

8. Emmanuel, 28

I didn’t do a DNA test for my kid when he was born. I think it’s a matter of the dynamics of your relationship. I trust my wife, so I didn’t think it was something I needed to do. If there’s a breach in trust and things don’t add up anymore, I could do the test just for peace of mind and clarity. But my wife would never know because if it turns out that the child is in fact mine, my wife would have to live with the fact that I don’t trust her, for the rest of our lives and that’s not something I would want.

9. Jesse, 34

I love my partner but I’ve cheated before, and if I can cheat, she can cheat. I’m definitely doing the tests when we have kids.

Note: Some names have been changed for anonymity purposes.


>

OUR MISSION

Zikoko amplifies African youth culture by curating and creating smart and joyful content for young Africans and the world.