Renowned Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is mourning an unimaginable loss following the death of her 21-month-old son, Nkanu Nnamdi. As her family grieves, serious allegations have emerged surrounding the circumstances of his passing. Author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie says her toddler’s death was the result of negligence, accusing a Lagos hospital of grave clinical failures that she believes cost her child his life.
Claims of Medical Failure at a Lagos Hospital
According to a private message Adichie shared with close family and friends—later leaked online and confirmed as authentic by outlets including Arise News, The New York Times, and the BBC—her son died after what she describes as a catastrophic medical error.
In the message, Adichie alleges that staff at Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital failed to follow proper medical protocols. She claims an anesthesiologist administered an excessive dose of the sedative propofol while Nkanu was being prepared for an MRI scan. According to her account, the overdose triggered seizures and ultimately led to cardiac arrest.
A Routine Plan That Ended in Tragedy
Adichie explained that her son had developed what she described as a “serious infection” while the family was visiting Lagos for Christmas. Though ill, she said Nkanu was stable and scheduled to be flown to Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore the following day for further treatment.
“We brought in a child who was unwell but stable and scheduled to travel the next day,” Adichie wrote in her message, as reported by Arise News. “And suddenly, our beautiful little boy was gone forever. It is like living your worst nightmare. I will never survive the loss of my child.”
Nkanu died on Jan. 6. He was one of Adichie’s twin sons, born in 2024 to her and her husband, Dr. Ivara Esege. The couple also share a 9-year-old daughter.
Private Grief Made Public
Omawumi Ogbe, a spokesperson for Adichie, told the BBC that the message was never intended for public release. It was meant only for a “close circle of family and friends,” she said, emphasizing that its sudden circulation added another layer of pain to an already devastating moment.
“While we are saddened that such a deeply personal account of grief and trauma was leaked,” Ogbe added, “the details therein highlight the devastating clinical failures the family is now forced to confront.”
Lagos State Orders Independent Investigation
In response to the growing public concern, Lagos State authorities have announced a formal inquiry. On Jan. 10, the office of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu confirmed that the Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA) would conduct what it described as a “thorough, independent, and transparent investigation.”
Officials from HEFAMAA have already visited the facility involved. According to the governor’s statement, investigators will examine whether established clinical protocols were followed, assess professional conduct, and evaluate patient safety standards, as well as the roles of all medical personnel involved.
The Lagos State government has pledged to make the findings public once the investigation is complete, stressing the importance of transparency and accountability. Authorities also urged the public to remain calm and avoid speculation while due process unfolds.
A Voice That Has Shaped Global Conversations
Beyond this tragedy, Adichie is widely celebrated for her literary and cultural influence. She is the award-winning author of Half of a Yellow Sun and a recipient of the MacArthur Fellowship, often referred to as the “Genius Grant.” Her 2012 TEDx Euston talk, We Should All Be Feminists, sparked a global conversation on gender equality and was later sampled by Beyoncé in the song “***Flawless.”
Today, however, her voice carries a different weight—one shaped by loss, anger, and a demand for answers. As Author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie says her toddler’s death was the result of negligence, the unfolding investigation may not ease her grief, but it could determine whether accountability follows tragedy and whether lessons are learned to prevent another family from enduring the same heartbreak.
