Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is one of Africa’s most celebrated writers, known across the world for her powerful storytelling, feminist essays, and unapologetic voice. But in January 2026, the award-winning author was thrust into the spotlight for a reason far more painful than literature — the death of her young son, Nkanu Nnamdi.
What initially appeared to be a tragic but brief illness has since taken a darker turn following a detailed account shared online, raising serious questions about medical care, hospital protocol, and possible negligence.
Who Chimamanda Adichie Is
Born in Enugu, Nigeria, in 1977, Chimamanda Adichie grew up on the campus of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where her love for books and writing took shape early. She later studied in the United States, earning degrees from Eastern Connecticut State University, Johns Hopkins University, and Yale University.
She rose to global fame with novels such as Purple Hibiscus, Half of a Yellow Sun, and Americanah. Her TED Talk, The Danger of a Single Story, became one of the most influential talks of its time, and her essay We Should All Be Feminists helped shape modern conversations about gender equality.
Despite her global fame, Adichie has always kept her private life largely out of public view. She is married to Dr. Ivara Esege and is a mother of three children, including twin boys born in 2024 via surrogacy.
A Christmas Visit That Turned Tragic
According to a firsthand account shared publicly by movie producer, Seun Oloketuyi, the family was in Lagos for the Christmas holidays when 21-month-old Nkanu developed what first appeared to be a mild cold. Over time, his condition worsened and turned into a serious infection.
Nkanu was admitted to Atlantis Hospital in Lagos, where doctors assessed him as unwell but stable. Plans were already in motion for him to travel to the United States the following day, January 7, accompanied by travelling doctors. A medical team at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore was reportedly waiting to receive him for further treatment.
Before the trip, the Hopkins team requested additional tests, including a lumbar puncture and an MRI scan. Nigerian doctors also decided that a central line needed to be inserted to allow IV medications during travel.
For these procedures, Atlantis Hospital referred the family to Euracare Hospital, described to them as the best-equipped facility for such interventions.
What Allegedly Happened at Euracare Hospital
On the morning of January 6, Nkanu was reportedly taken from Atlantis Hospital to Euracare in his father’s arms. The family was informed that he would need to be sedated to prevent movement during the MRI and central line procedure.
According to Seun Oloketuyi’s account, a short time after Nkanu was taken into the theatre, hospital staff including a doctor identified as Dr. M were seen rushing in urgently. Almost immediately, it became clear something had gone wrong.
The family was told that too much propofol, a powerful anesthetic drug, had been administered by the anesthesiologist. Nkanu reportedly became unresponsive and had to be resuscitated. Soon after, he was placed on a ventilator, intubated, and moved to the Intensive Care Unit.
What followed was a rapid and terrifying decline. The child allegedly suffered seizures and then went into cardiac arrest. These complications, the family insists, had never occurred before the sedation.
Several hours later, Nkanu was pronounced dead.
Allegations of Negligence
In the same account, the family member made grave allegations about how the situation was handled. According to the statement, Nkanu was not properly monitored after sedation, making it unclear when he became unresponsive.
The anesthesiologist is also accused of carrying the sedated child on his shoulder instead of using appropriate medical equipment, meaning critical moments may have passed without anyone noticing distress. The statement further claims that after the central line procedure, the child’s oxygen was switched off and he was again moved casually, without proper safeguards.
“These were basic procedures,” the account states, emphasising that the family had brought in a sick but stable child who was expected to fly out the next day for advanced care.
The actions were described as “criminally negligent,” with the family questioning how a sick child could be sedated without strict monitoring or adherence to established medical protocols. See screenshot of post below:
Silence and Public Outcry
As of now, Euracare Hospital has not issued a public response to the allegations, and there has been no official statement from medical regulatory authorities addressing the claims.
The story has sparked widespread outrage and grief across Nigeria and beyond, with many calling for a thorough investigation and greater accountability within private healthcare institutions.
Public figures, including Nigeria’s president, have expressed condolences to the Adichie family, while social media has become a space for both mourning and anger over the details emerging from the incident.
A Mother’s Grief in the Public Eye
For Chimamanda Adichie, the loss is especially heartbreaking. She has previously written movingly about grief after losing both her parents in quick succession, publishing Notes on Grief in 2021. This time, however, the loss is deeply personal in a way no book can fully contain.
The family has asked for privacy as they mourn, but the account shared online has ensured that questions surrounding Nkanu’s death will not simply fade away.
As the story continues to unfold, one question remains at the centre of public attention: could this death have been prevented?
Discussion about this post