Facility introduces technology to tackle parental fraud

To tackle the growing pace of parental fraud, reduce uncertainties and restore reliability in family structures around the country, an innovative genetic and Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) testing centre, Onco-Genomics, has introduced Nigeria’s first paternity testing service powered by Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) technology.

The firm unveiled the newly acquired technology at the testing facility in Egbeda, Lagos, during a press briefing to redefine accuracy standards in paternity testing, as well as avail Nigerians access to affordable world-class diagnostic services locally.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Onco-Genomic, Paul Faduola, said that despite advancements in Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) testing, paternity testing in Nigeria has relied heavily on Conventional Electrophoresis (CE), which, while effective, has resolution and accuracy limitations.

He explained that NGS outperforms all previous parental testing technologies and leaves no room for ambiguity with probability results exceeding 99.99 per cent, which is the gold standard worldwide.

Faduola added that the newly acquired technology would eliminate delays and the prohibitive cost associated with sending samples abroad for analysis.

“This makes it ideal for Nigeria’s diverse needs from family reconciliation to legal disputes. Nigerians can now access faster and more reliable results without compromising quality,” he said.

Speaking on ethical consideration and data privacy, Faduola emphasised the firm’s commitment to ethical standards in paternity testing, highlighting the personal and sensitive nature of such matters. He noted that their use of next-generation sequencing (NGS) minimises the risk of misattribution, reducing potential emotional and social impacts.