OncoGenomics, a leading diagnostic firm in Nigeria, announced the introduction of the country’s first in-country paternity testing program on Friday. This ground-breaking project intends to drastically reduce Nigerians’ reliance on abroad facilities for paternity testing, which has traditionally been both time-consuming and costly.
The new diagnostic service, which uses Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) technology, promises results with a probability of paternity surpassing 99.999%, meeting international gold standards for accuracy and dependability.
A New Era of Genetic Testing in Nigeria
During the facility’s unveiling in Lagos, Dr. Paul Faduola, the founder of OncoGenomics, described NGS technology adoption as a transformative milestone for the country’s healthcare industry. “NGS is the epitome of precision, reliability, and innovation. “We are creating a future in which every Nigerian has access to dependable, ethical, and advanced genetic testing,” he said.
Paternity testing in Nigeria used to entail sending DNA samples overseas, which was expensive and time-consuming. Dr. Faduola underlined that these obstacles are removed by the country’s NGS laboratory, guaranteeing that Nigerians may now easily access cutting-edge healthcare.
Advantages of Next-Generation Sequencing
Dr. Faduola emphasized the advantages of NGS technology, stating that it excels at handling degraded DNA, low-quality samples, and resolving situations involving close relatives. He elaborated: “NGS outperforms all previous technologies, making it ideal for Nigeria’s diverse needs, from family reconciliation to legal disputes.”
OncoGenomics’ localization of the testing process offers faster and more reliable results while preserving stringent confidentiality and data security. “Families and individuals can be confident that their information is handled with the highest care and professionalism. Furthermore, by keeping the processes local, we are removing the cost barriers that have previously prevented many Nigerians from using this service,” he explained.
Addressing Gaps in Nigeria’s Healthcare System
Dr. Faduola emphasized the advantages of NGS technology, stating that it excels at handling degraded DNA, low-quality samples, and resolving situations involving close relatives. He elaborated: “NGS outperforms all previous technologies, making it ideal for Nigeria’s diverse needs, from family reconciliation to legal disputes.”
OncoGenomics’ localization of the testing process offers faster and more reliable results while preserving stringent confidentiality and data security. “Families and individuals can be confident that their information is handled with the highest care and professionalism. Furthermore, by keeping the processes local, we are removing the cost barriers that have previously prevented many Nigerians from using this service,” he explained.
Collaboration to Drive Down Costs
ISN Medicals, one of Nigeria’s leading suppliers of medical equipment, is partnering with OncoGenomics to deliver NGS technology. Despite its advantages, the high costs associated with NGS technology pose a challenge. Dr. Faduola acknowledged that while the pricing of NGS is competitive by international standards, it remains out of reach for many Nigerians. However, he expressed optimism that as demand increases and the technology becomes more localized, prices will decrease over time.
He also emphasized the importance of public education regarding the available testing technologies and their implications. “If paternity tests were more affordable, millions would opt to resolve their doubts. Public awareness and regulation are key to ensuring accuracy and transparency in this sensitive area,” he noted.
Positioning Nigeria as a Leader in Genomic Advancements
An important turning point for Nigeria in the development of genomic and diagnostic technologies has been reached with the opening of OncoGenomics’ paternity testing laboratory. Dr. Faduola stated his goal to establish Nigeria as Africa’s leader in this field. “We hope to create jobs, develop local expertise, and show Nigeria’s potential to lead in cutting-edge technologies by bringing NGS technology to the country,” he stated.
He urged Nigerians to embrace the innovation and trust the local services, which are designed to meet global standards of quality and reliability. “This initiative is more than just a diagnostic service; it is a step toward empowering Nigerians with access to advanced healthcare solutions while promoting self-reliance in our medical systems,” he concluded.
In addition to the foregoing, OncoGenomics’ launch of NGS-powered paternity testing marks a watershed moment in Nigeria’s healthcare industry. By introducing cutting-edge technology to the country, the company is not only making advanced diagnostics more accessible, but also setting a new standard for accuracy, affordability, and dependability in paternity testing. This innovation aims to promote trust and transparency in family and legal situations, while increasing faith in locally available healthcare options..
