The 21-month-old son of Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has died in Lagos amid allegations of medical negligence during a brief illness.
Fresh details have surfaced about the tragic death of Nkanu Nnamdi, the 21-month-old son of acclaimed writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and her husband, Dr. Ivara Esege. The child passed away following a brief illness while the family was in Lagos for the Christmas holidays.
Nkanu developed an infection and fell ill. His parents had arranged for a full medical evacuation to the United States, with a specialist team set to transfer him on January 7, 2026. On January 6, he was taken to a private medical facility in Victoria Island, Lagos, for tests requested by the overseas team. He arrived in stable condition.
However, his health deteriorated before the evacuation could occur. Sources close to the family have expressed concerns over the care provided, suggesting it was inadequate and that clinical protocols may not have been followed properly. One source remarked, “This wasn’t an act of God... This was a failure of care. If those professionals had done their jobs for just a few hours, that child would be alive today.”
The family has requested privacy during their mourning period and has not issued a public statement. Efforts continue to contact the medical facility for comment as more information emerges. This incident highlights ongoing challenges in Nigeria's healthcare system, particularly in emergency care for young children.
