DNA Testing Can Strain Relationships, Okonkwo Says

Nigerian relationship coach Pastor Kingsley Okonkwo has warned that routine DNA tests can damage trust between couples. Okonkwo made the comment on NewsCentral TV’s Take 3 programme on Tuesday, during a discussion on modern relationship trends. He said couples should address trust issues during friendship and dating before entering marriage.

According to him, asking for a DNA test without clear evidence of a problem can create lasting distrust.

“By the time you tell a woman that you really love, that you want to do a DNA test, you’ve already told her you don’t trust her,” he said.

Okonkwo also questioned what happens when a man discovers through a DNA test that a child he has raised is not biologically his. He said such a discovery could create difficult questions about the child’s future and the relationship.

However, the relationship coach said DNA testing may be reasonable where there is clear evidence that something is wrong.

“We don’t think it’s important, except there is glaring evidence that something is wrong, then fine,” he added.

The author also shared his view on prenuptial agreements, saying his position on them has changed over time. He said prenups could be useful when there is a major difference in the financial status of both partners.

For instance, he said someone marrying one of Africa’s richest men could consider a prenup to protect the relationship from financial pressure. He noted that people around a wealthy partner could encourage divorce because of the potential financial gains.

According to Okonkwo, a prenup can help couples focus on their relationship rather than wealth.

“When there’s a large disparity in the financial status of both people, I would say maybe a prenup will help both people focus on the relationship, not on anything else,” he said.

Okonkwo maintained that couples should build trust before marriage and carefully consider the reasons behind DNA tests or prenuptial agreements.