Mirian Gom 
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
LAGOS, Nigeria – Renowned Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has alleged medical negligence in the circumstances surrounding the death of her 21-month-old son, Nkanu Nnamdi, who died on January 7, 2026.
In a statement confirmed by her media team and reported by ARISE News, Adichie says her son died following complications from sedation administered during medical procedures at Euracare Hospital in Lagos.
Adichie states that her son was taken to Euracare on January 6 for an MRI scan and the insertion of a central line, during which he was sedated with propofol but allegedly not properly monitored. “He would be alive today if not for an incident at Euracare Hospital,” she says.
According to her account, Nkanu had developed a serious infection while the family was in Lagos for Christmas and was admitted to Atlantis Hospital. He was scheduled to travel to the United States the next day with medical escorts, where a team at Johns Hopkins Hospital was prepared to receive him.
Adichie says the MRI and lumbar puncture were requested by the US-based team, prompting the referral to Euracare. “I was waiting just outside the theatre when I saw people rushing in and knew something was wrong,” she recalls.
She alleges that doctors later informed her that her son had been given an excessive dose of propofol, became unresponsive, and required emergency resuscitation.
Nkanu was subsequently placed on life support in intensive care, where he developed seizures and later suffered cardiac arrest.
The author says the statement was initially shared privately with family and close friends before becoming public.
Neither Euracare Hospital nor the attending medical team has publicly responded to the allegations.
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Edino Chubiyo Cornelius 
Oluwafunbi Bello 
Hussaini Ibrahim