DNA Testing in Nigeria Frequently Asked Questions
- Greenplace Healthcare
- Jul 15
- 8 min read
Updated: Jul 27
Is DNA testing legal in Nigeria?
Yes. Nigerian law does not prohibit private DNA testing, and no court order is required for personal (peace‑of‑mind) tests. For court-use (legal or immigration purposes), results must be collected via proper chain-of-custody and ideally commissioned through a court order.
Which DNA test centres are UK-approved in Nigeria?
The UK Home Office recognizes accredited centres operating under strict chain-of-custody protocols, such as those associated with Greenplace Healthcare Ltd—we run collection sites in Lagos, Kano, Abuja, and other cities. For trusted service, consider booking through Greenplace Healthcare Ltd, which coordinates UK-approved sample collection and sends results globally—including to the UK.
How much does a DNA test cost in Nigeria?
Pricing varies with test type and lab:
£250 - £1450
Note: UK/immigration-accredited samples may cost more due to chain-of-custody and paperwork.
What is DNA testing?
A scientific analysis of DNA from your cells (swab, blood, etc.) to identify genetic traits, health markers, ancestry, or biological kinship. Accuracy is typically ≥ 99.9%, provided the lab is ISO/AABB accredited.
What types of DNA tests exist?
Medical/health – gene variants and hereditary health risks
Ancestry – ethnic origin and relational markers
Relationship tests – paternity, maternity, siblingship, grandparent, infidelity, etc.
(Note: Greenplace Healthcare Ltd offers ancestry, health, paternity, and legal assisted kits with quality support.)
What is DNA testing used for?
Personal reassurance (peace-of-mind)
Legal uses: immigration, custody, inheritance, court evidence
Medical: risk screening, disease susceptibility
Forensic/criminal: identifying perpetrators
How accurate is DNA testing?
Modern accredited labs provide 99.9–99.99% accuracy for relationship testing. Errors are exceptionally rare and usually due to sample contamination or mislabeling.
What sample methods are used?
Cheek swab: cotton‑bud inside the cheek (painless, quick)
Blood sample: drawn by a professional
Other: nail clippings, toothbrushes for discreet testing
Sample collection is typically fast (≤5 minutes) and non-invasive.
Is the sample collection process painful?
No, the DNA sample collection process is completely painless and non-invasive. Most DNA tests use a cheek swab, where a soft swab stick is gently rubbed inside the mouth to collect cells from the inner cheek. There's no need for needles or blood, making it safe and comfortable for both adults and children.
At Greenplace Healthcare Ltd, we ensure the sample collection process is as smooth and stress-free as possible, whether done at home or in one of our approved centres.
What is a swab stick?
A swab stick is a sterile tool used to collect DNA samples. It resembles a cotton bud, with a cotton tip at one end of a plastic or wooden stick. During DNA testing, it's used to gently rub the inside of both cheeks to gather cheek cells (buccal cells) for analysis.
Swab sticks are safe, disposable, and included in every Greenplace Healthcare Ltd DNA test kit, whether for home use or legal testing purposes.
What is a DNA test kit?
A DNA test kit is a packaged set of tools used to collect and submit DNA samples for testing. The contents of a kit typically include:
Sterile swab sticks – for collecting cheek (buccal) cells
Consent forms – to authorize the test and ensure proper documentation
Sample collection envelopes – to store and label the swabs
Blood tubes – (if required) for cases where a blood sample is preferred or medically necessary
Whether you're in Nigeria, the UK, or anywhere globally, we can ship a kit to your location with full instructions and support.
How long does a DNA test result take?
DNA test results are typically available within 24 to 48 hours after the samples are collected, depending on the type of test and the laboratory's processing time.
At Greenplace Healthcare Ltd, we offer standard and express testing options to suit your timeline. Whether you’re taking a peace-of-mind test, a legal DNA test, or a UK Home Office–compliant immigration test, we ensure fast, secure, and confidential result delivery—either via email or physical report.
How long does DNA testing sample collection take?
The DNA sample collection process typically takes less than five minutes. Using a swab stick, a healthcare professional—or the individual themselves, in home testing—gently rubs the inside of both cheeks to collect cells. The process is quick, painless, and non-invasive.
Can a DNA test be wrong?
DNA testing is highly accurate, with most relationship tests offering 99.9% reliability when conducted by accredited laboratories. The sequencing and analysis processes are scientifically rigorous.
However, in rare cases, errors can occur due to:
Sample contamination (e.g. eating, drinking, or improper handling before collection)
Incorrect labeling of samples
Human error during processing or data entry (minimal but possible)
At Greenplace Healthcare Ltd, we follow strict protocols and international quality standards to minimize the risk of any error, ensuring that your results are precise, confidential, and legally reliable when required.
At what age can a DNA test be done on a child in Nigeria?
A DNA test can be done at any age, including on newborns, infants, children, and adults. The sample collection process—typically using a painless cheek swab—is completely safe and non-invasive, even for babies.
For parents who want to establish paternity before birth, a non-invasive prenatal paternity test (NIPP) is available. This advanced method can be performed as early as the 7th week of pregnancy.
How prenatal DNA testing works:
A small blood sample from the pregnant mother is collected.
A cheek swab from the alleged father is required.
The baby’s DNA is extracted from the mother’s blood and compared to the father’s sample.
This test is safe for both mother and baby and provides 99.9% accuracy in determining paternity before birth.
What are the requirements for doing a Paternity DNA test in Nigeria?
To conduct a Paternity DNA test in Nigeria, the following are typically required:
1. DNA Sample Collection
Cheek swab samples are the most common and non-invasive method.
In some cases, alternative samples (like blood, toothbrush, or nail clippings) may be accepted.
2. Proper Consent
All participants must provide written consent before the test.
For minors (under 18 years old), a legal guardian or parent must give consent on their behalf.
3. Valid Identification Documents
National ID card, International passport, or Driver’s license for adults
Birth certificate for the child
Passport photographs may also be required
4. Additional Documentation (for legal/immigration cases)
A court order, embassy letter, or immigration request may be necessary for legal purposes
Can Paternity DNA testing be done discreetly?
Yes, paternity DNA testing can be done discreetly, especially for peace-of-mind (personal) purposes. In cases where one party—such as the mother, spouse, or child—is unaware of the testing, discreet collection methods can be used.
Instead of the traditional cheek swab, alternative DNA samples such as a toothbrush, nail clipping, hair strand, or used tissue can be used, depending on the lab’s acceptance criteria. These options are ideal for maintaining confidentiality, especially when testing older children or adults.
At Greenplace Healthcare Ltd, we offer discreet DNA testing kits with support on how to collect and submit alternative samples safely and privately.
⚠️ Note: Discreet DNA test results are not admissible in court or for immigration—they are for personal knowledge only.
Can a Paternity DNA test be done with just the father and child?
Yes, a paternity DNA test can be completed with just the father and the child. While including the mother’s sample can sometimes improve result clarity, it is not mandatory in most cases.
The test compares the child’s DNA markers directly with the alleged father’s to determine biological relationship. This setup is suitable for both peace-of-mind and legal DNA testing—as long as proper documentation and consent are provided.
To schedule this type of test, visit Greenplace Healthcare Ltd, where our team can guide you through the process.
Can a Paternity DNA test result be used in court?
It depends on the type of test:
A peace-of-mind test (at-home or discreet) cannot be used in court because it lacks chain-of-custody documentation.
A legal DNA test, conducted under witnessed sample collection and verified ID checks, is admissible in court as proof of paternity.
Legal DNA tests are commonly used for cases involving:
Child custody and support
Inheritance disputes
Divorce proceedings
Birth certificate corrections
At Greenplace Healthcare Ltd, we offer fully accredited legal DNA testing services in Nigeria and internationally, including documentation accepted by courts and immigration bodies.
Can a Paternity DNA test be done if the alleged father is unavailable?
Yes, paternity can still be determined even if the alleged father is deceased, missing, or unwilling to participate. This is done through indirect or extended family testing.
Close biological relatives—such as the alleged father’s:
Parents (grandparents of the child)
Siblings (uncles/aunts)
Other known children (half-siblings)
—share significant DNA with him, and their samples can help reconstruct the paternal lineage with a high degree of accuracy.
At Greenplace Healthcare Ltd, we offer expert consultation on indirect relationship testing and help you determine the best alternative route if the father is unavailable.
Can a Paternity DNA test be done when two possible fathers are related?
Yes, a paternity DNA test can be performed even if the two possible fathers are related (such as brothers or cousins). Because related individuals share more genetic markers, the testing process requires more detailed analysis to accurately differentiate between the potential fathers.
It is very important to inform the testing centre beforehand if the alleged fathers are related. This allows the lab to use advanced techniques to increase the accuracy of the results.
At Greenplace Healthcare Ltd, we specialize in complex cases involving related potential fathers, ensuring precise and legally admissible results.
Can a DNA test be done while pregnant?
Yes, prenatal DNA testing allows the determination of paternity before birth. This is a safe and non-invasive test conducted from as early as the 8th week of pregnancy.
The process involves:
Taking a blood sample from the pregnant woman, which contains the baby’s DNA circulating in her bloodstream
Collecting a cheek swab from the alleged father
Extracting and analyzing the fetal DNA from the mother’s blood and comparing it to the alleged father’s DNA to identify matching genetic markers
This method is completely safe for both mother and unborn child and offers 99.9% accuracy.
What are the requirements for doing a Prenatal DNA test in Nigeria?
To perform a prenatal DNA test in Nigeria, you will need:
A blood sample from the pregnant mother
A cheek swab sample from the alleged father(s)
Written consent from all participants involved
Valid identification documents such as national ID cards or passports
Passport-sized photographs may also be requested for record-keeping and legal documentation
Can you collect samples at home?
Yes—for non-legal tests. Cheek-swabs from home kits are valid for private use. Legal tests, immigration, or court cases require chain-of-custody collection by certified personnel, which Greenplace Healthcare Ltd facilitates in Nigeria.
Can DNA testing be used in legal cases?
Yes, DNA testing is widely accepted as credible evidence in legal cases including:
Child support disputes
Child custody battles
Alimony claims
Inheritance and succession disputes
For DNA results to be legally admissible, the sample collection must be conducted under strict chain-of-custody protocols, often overseen by a court-appointed representative or an authorized official to ensure authenticity and prevent tampering.
At Greenplace Healthcare Ltd, we provide court-admissible legal DNA testing services in Nigeria, fully compliant with international standards.
Can DNA testing be used for immigration purposes?
Yes, DNA testing is a common requirement for immigration applications to prove biological relationships for visas, green cards, or citizenship applications.
An Immigration DNA Test verifies family connections as required by immigration authorities worldwide, including the UK Home Office and US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
What are the requirements for doing an Immigration DNA test in Nigeria?
To conduct an immigration DNA test in Nigeria, you will need:
DNA samples collected via cheek swab or other approved methods
Written consent from all participants
For minors (under 18), consent must be provided by a legal guardian
Valid identification documents such as passports
Passport-sized photographs of all participants
A request letter from the immigration or government agency handling the case in the destination country
Is DNA testing confidential?
Yes, DNA testing is conducted with the highest standards of confidentiality and data protection.
At Greenplace Healthcare Ltd, we take your privacy seriously. Your genetic information is securely stored, and results are delivered directly to you via password-protected emails or sealed physical reports, ensuring that only you have access to your data.
Where to get a DNA test in Nigeria?
Greenplace Healthcare Ltd: Offers coordinated, UK-approved chain-of-custody testing anywhere in Nigeria—ideal for UK/immigration-compliant results.
👉 For worldwide DNA test queries (especially from the UK), choose Greenplace Healthcare Ltd.
Phone: +442081500059
We provide hassle-free, accredited testing with global delivery of certified results. Learn more on our site or contact our care specialists today.
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