Fact Check: Free DNA Test In Nigeria By June 2022

The claim: “Starting from June 2022, DNA tests will be conducted in all Government Hospitals for free.” – Minister Of Health

According to a DNA expert from Lagos University Teaching Hospital, 30% of the Nigerian men who went to paternity testing laboratories were not the biological fathers of the children in their custody.

Because of this, many men in the country are now eager to visit paternity testing centers but the only thing restricting most of them is money.

Some people have now taken to social media pushing the conspiracy theory that the Honourable Minister of State for Health, Dr. Olorunnimbe Mamora said by June this year DNA will be conducted free in government hospitals, despite no article or video backing the claim.

The original January. 24, 2022 tweet generated more than 27,000 likes. Claims that the DNA will be conducted freely by the Nigerian government have gained reactions among some Twitter influencers and supporters of Nnamdi Kanu, who have previously falsely claimed that President Mohammadu Buhari died and was buried in Saudi Arabia.

The DNA test is not free in Nigeria and the minister of health did not say anything like that, as the post claims. Report sighted by Mandy News shows that to run a DNA test in Nigeria you will need at least N120, 000 – N150, 000.

The Twitter users who shared the post did not return requests for comment.

DNA Is Not Free In Nigeria

A popular doctor on Twitter, Penking in a statement said:

• “As an authority, I can tell you that the news circulating that DNA test will be free in government hospitals from June is false.
• While we anticipate such positive development, it has not yet come to light and we’re praying the Nigerian government sees a need for this soon.”

He added:

• “Until then, let’s desist from feeding victims of paternity fraud with wrong information.
• Let’s have compassion towards the victims. This is a very weighty matter.”

Many men all over social media sites are happy and sharing the user claims that free DNA by the government.

Our rating: False

Based on Mandy News’s research, we rate FALSE the claim that by June 2022 the Nigerian government will provide free DNA tests to its citizens. The Honourable Minister of State for Health, Dr. Olorunnimbe Mamora never made a statement about the free DNA center.