Celebrated Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has publicly accused a private hospital in Lagos of negligence following the tragic death of her one-year-old son, Nkanu Nnamdi.
A Devastating Loss for the Literary World
Representatives for the 48-year-old writer, famed for novels like Purple Hibiscus and Half of a Yellow Sun, confirmed that her son passed away on Wednesday, 6 January 2026. In a statement, they said Ms Adichie and her partner, Dr Ivara Esege, are "devastated by this profound loss".
The author has directed her grief and anger towards Euracare Hospital in Lagos, Nigeria, where her son died. She asserts that Nkanu "would be alive today if not for an incident" at the facility on the day of his death.
Allegations of Sedation and Lack of Monitoring
According to Ms Adichie, her son was admitted to Euracare with a severe infection. He was being prepared for a medical evacuation to Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, USA. As part of this preparation, doctors performed an MRI scan and inserted a central line.
The author claims that during this procedure, an anaesthetist administered the sedative propofol. She alleges the dose given to her infant son was "too excessive," causing him to become unresponsive and require resuscitation.
"It turns out that Nkanu was never monitored after being given too much propofol," Ms Adichie stated. "How can you sedate a sick child and neglect to monitor him?"
Following the resuscitation, the one-year-old was placed on a ventilator and admitted to the intensive care unit. He later developed seizures, suffered a cardiac arrest, and died.
Hospital Denies Negligence and Offers Condolences
Euracare Hospital has issued a detailed statement in response, firmly denying any negligence by its clinical team. The hospital acknowledged the family's "profound and unimaginable loss" and offered its deepest sympathies.
The facility described itself as a "reputable centre for complex medical care, led by an internationally trained and experienced clinical team." It stated that the child was critically ill upon referral and that care was provided in line with established clinical protocols.
"Despite these concerted efforts, the patient sadly passed away less than 24 hours after presenting at our facility," the spokesperson said. The hospital confirmed it has commenced a detailed investigation into the circumstances and remains committed to transparent clinical and regulatory processes.
While extending continued support to the grieving family, Euracare emphasised its priority is "compassion, patient safety, and the responsible handling of this matter." The case has sparked significant attention, highlighting grave concerns over paediatric care standards and medical accountability.
