Mental health professionals across Nigeria have urged fathers not to abandon children they discover are not biologically theirs after DNA tests. According to the experts, walking away from such children could have devastating long-term psychological and social effects on the minors, who are innocent and uninvolved in the circumstances of their paternity.
In recent months, Nigeria has witnessed a surge in conversations around DNA testing, following high-profile revelations of paternity fraud. With laboratories across Lagos, Abuja, and other states reporting an increase in DNA test requests, many men have reacted with anger and rejection upon learning that the children they raised for years are not their biological offspring. In some cases, fathers have cut ties immediately, withdrawing financial support, love, and presence from children who have grown accustomed to seeing them as their parents.
Mental health experts say this response, while emotionally understandable, is damaging not only to the children but also to the fathers themselves. Dr. Yetunde Adebanjo, a clinical psychologist based in Lagos, explained that children who suddenly experience rejection from a parent figure often develop trauma that can manifest later in life as depression, trust issues, and even violent behavior. “The child is not responsible for the deception or circumstances of their birth. Abandoning them after years of attachment creates a deep wound that is very difficult to heal,” she noted.
Similarly, Professor Samuel Obinna, a family counselor at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, stressed that paternity goes beyond biology. He argued that fatherhood is as much about nurture, protection, and guidance as it is about blood ties. “If a man has invested time, love, and care into raising a child, that bond is already established. The DNA result does not erase the years of fatherhood. Men must learn to separate their hurt towards the partner from their duty to the child,” he said.
Experts further warned that many abandoned children grow up feeling unwanted, which can lead to identity crises, substance abuse, and emotional instability. “It is critical to maintain stability in the child’s life, even if the relationship with the mother ends,” said Dr. Abiola Musa, a child psychologist based in Abuja. “We cannot emphasize enough how damaging sudden parental rejection can be to a child’s mental health and future development.”
Beyond the immediate effects on children, professionals also highlighted the toll on fathers themselves. Men who abruptly sever ties with children they once cared for often battle guilt, anger, and a sense of loss. Many turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms such as excessive drinking or isolation. “Healing must happen, and that can only occur through therapy, emotional support, and conscious decision-making,” Dr. Musa explained.
Mental health experts therefore recommend that men faced with shocking DNA revelations seek counseling rather than making impulsive decisions. Support groups, faith-based communities, and professional therapists are encouraged to step in and guide families through the pain. Importantly, the professionals advised that fathers should continue to provide financial, emotional, and social support for the children, at least until a smooth transition plan is created—especially if the biological father steps in.
The broader Nigerian society is also being called upon to reduce the stigma surrounding paternity fraud cases. According to experts, while accountability is crucial for partners who betray trust, the focus must remain on protecting the innocence of the child. “Children should not be punished for mistakes they did not make. The love of a parent—biological or not—remains essential for their growth into responsible adults,” Dr. Adebanjo concluded.
With DNA testing becoming more common and cases of disputed paternity surfacing daily, psychologists say Nigeria must begin a national conversation about family stability, children’s rights, and emotional responsibility. As one expert put it: “Biology may start a family, but love, nurture, and presence are what truly sustain it.”
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