How my son died in Lagos hospital – Chimamanda Adichie opens up

Award-winning Nigerian author, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, has recounted the incidents that led to the death of her son, Nkanu Nnamdi.

Adichie, in a statement on Saturday, alleged medical negligence in the circumstances surrounding the death of her 21-month-old son.

Nkanu passed away on Wednesday, January 7, 2026.

Adichie explained that her son was taken to Euracare Hospital in Lagos for an MRI scan and the insertion of a central line, after he developed what they initially believed was a cold, which later “turned into a very serious infection”.

During the process, Nkanu was sedated but was not properly monitored after being administered propofol, leading to complications including loss of responsiveness, seizures, and cardiac arrest.

She stated that her son “would be alive today if not for an incident at Euracare Hospital on January 6th,” where he was taken for medical procedures.