Tag: Chimamanda Adichie

Renowned Nigerian author, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, has served a formal legal notice on Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital, Lagos, alleging medical negligence and professional impropriety in connection with the death of her 21-month-old son, Nkanu Nnamdi Adichie-Esege.

The development comes as Lagos Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, ordered an official probe into the circumstances surrounding the child’s death, following widespread public concern over the incident.

In a legal notice dated January 10, 2026, and issued by a law firm led by Professor Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, Adichie and her partner, Dr. Ivara Esege, accused the hospital, its anaesthesiologist, and other attending medical personnel of breaching the duty of care owed to their son, who died in the early hours of January 7, 2026.

According to the notice, the child, born on March 25, 2024 was referred to Euracare on January 6, 2026, from Atlantis Pediatric Hospital for diagnostic and preparatory procedures ahead of an emergency medical evacuation to the United States, where a specialist medical team was reportedly on standby.

The procedures carried out at Euracare reportedly included an echocardiogram, brain MRI, insertion of a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC line) and a lumbar puncture, during which intravenous sedation using propofol was administered.

The parents alleged that the child developed sudden and severe complications while being transported to the cardiac catheterisation laboratory after the MRI. The notice claimed that, despite being under sedation, the child was moved between clinical areas under conditions that raised serious concerns about compliance with patient safety and paediatric anaesthesia protocols.

The legal notice outlined several alleged lapses, including concerns about the cumulative dosing of propofol in a critically ill child, inadequate airway protection during deep sedation, failure to ensure continuous physiological monitoring, and transfer without supplemental oxygen, adequate monitoring, or sufficient accompanying medical personnel.

Further allegations included the unavailability of basic resuscitation equipment, delayed recognition and management of respiratory or cardiovascular distress, and failure to comply with established paediatric anaesthesia, patient-transfer, and safety standards.

The parents also accused the hospital of failing to adequately disclose the risks and potential side effects of propofol and other anaesthetic agents, thereby undermining the requirement for informed consent.

The solicitors stated that these alleged lapses constitute prima facie breaches of duty of care, rendering the hospital and involved medical personnel liable for medical negligence resulting in the child’s death.

As part of their demands, the parents requested certified copies of all medical records relating to their son’s treatment within seven days. These include admission notes, consent forms, pre-anaesthetic assessments, anaesthetic charts, drug administration records, monitoring logs, nursing observations, ICU records, incident reports, and the identities of all medical staff involved.

They also demanded internal reviews, safety logs from the MRI suite, and all documentation related to the child’s care. Euracare was formally instructed to preserve all physical and electronic evidence, including CCTV footage, electronic monitoring data, pharmacy records, emergency equipment logs, internal communications, and morbidity and mortality reviews.

The solicitors warned that any destruction or alteration of evidence after receipt of the notice would be treated as obstruction of justice and could attract legal consequences. They further stated that failure to comply with the demands would leave the parents with no option but to pursue all available legal, regulatory, and judicial remedies.

The child’s aunt, Dr. Anthea Esege Nwandu, a dual board-certified internal medicine physician with over 30 years of clinical experience in Nigeria and the United States, has challenged Euracare’s public statement on January 10, 2026.

Read Also: Hospital opens probes into death of Chimamanda Adichie’s son

In a rebuttal, Nwandu questioned the hospital’s claim that there were inaccuracies in the family’s account of events and alleged that the hospital’s statement contained significant falsehoods.

She disputed Euracare’s assertion that the child had received care at two paediatric centres prior to admission, stating that he was treated at only one hospital before being referred to Euracare for the procedures.

Nwandu further alleged that internationally accepted medical standards were not followed, insisting that a sedated child on oxygen requires continuous oxygen therapy and monitoring of oxygen saturation, pulse, and respiration. 

She also claimed that proper resuscitation equipment, such as an ambu bag, was not provided during the child’s transfer within the hospital.

Euracare Hospital is yet to issue a further response to the detailed allegations as investigations continue.

The  2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party,  Mr Peter Obi, has commiserated with a celebrated Nigerian author, Chimamanda Adichie, following the death of her son.

Obi, a former governor of Anambra in his condolence message posted on his X handle on Friday,  explained that he had been following  the illness  of Adichie’s son, Nkanu, since he was informed of the illness  on Jan. 2.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Chimamanda Adichie’s toddler twin,  died at 21-month-old on Wednesday.

Read Also: Tinubu condoles Chimamanda Adichie on death of son

According to Obi, during this difficult time, I felt a deep sense of empathy for her and her family. I shared in their anxiety, prayed earnestly, and hoped for his recovery.

“Therefore, the news I received yesterday morning was profoundly heartbreaking.

“I am personally devastated, thinking of the immense pain my dear sister must be experiencing as a mother, along with her husband, Dr Ivara.

“My heartfelt condolences go to them and the entire family during this moment of indescribable loss.

“May God grant them the strength, comfort, and grace to bear this sorrow, and may Nkanu’s saintly soul rest in perfect peace.” he said.

(NAN) 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed deep condolences to celebrated writer, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, and her family over the passing of her son, Nkanu Nnamdi.

In a message he personally issued on Thursday, President Tinubu also commiserated with Adichie’s husband, Dr Ivara Esege, and the entire family, describing the loss as a devastating tragedy.

“With a deep sense of grief, I condole with Ms Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, her husband, Dr Ivara Esege, and the entire family on the passing of their son, Nkanu Nnamdi,” the President said.

Drawing from personal experience, Tinubu noted the profound pain associated with the loss of a child. 

“As a parent myself who has suffered the loss of a loved one, no grief is as devastating as losing a child,” he said.

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The President said he shared in the family’s sorrow and stood in solidarity with them during the difficult period, saying “I empathise with the family at this difficult time, and I mourn this sad loss with them”.

Tinubu also paid tribute to Adichie’s global literary influence, describing her as a cultural figure whose work has touched lives across the world. 

“Ms Adichie is a literary icon who has brought joy and light to many homes globally, and I pray she and her family find strength in the Almighty in this trying hour. My prayers are with the family”, the President said.

Renowned Nigerian writer, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, has refuted reports claiming she was appointed a visiting professor at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).

Earlier reports had claimed that the Vice-Chancellor of UNN, Prof. Simon Ortuanya, appointed Adichie alongside Prof. Kevin Urama, an executive at the African Development Bank (AfDB), and Prof. James Robinson of the University of Chicago as visiting professors.

The reports further claimed that the appointments were announced in a statement dated December 18, 2025, and issued on Wednesday by the university’s Acting Public Relations Officer, Inya Egwu, as part of efforts by Ortuanya’s administration to position UNN on the global academic stage.

However, Adichie’s communications team dismissed the claim, describing it as false.

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In a statement issued on Wednesday evening and signed by Omawumi Ogbe, Adichie’s representative said no such appointment was offered to the Dream Count author.

“It has come to our attention that several news outlets are reporting that Ms. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has been appointed as a ‘Visiting Professor’ at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN),” Ogbe said.

“We wish to state categorically that this information is entirely false.

“Ms. Adichie has not received any such appointment, nor has she been in communication with the University regarding a professorship. The reports claiming that official letters were signed and dated December 18, 2025, are inaccurate.”

While acknowledging Adichie’s longstanding ties to the institution, the statement expressed disappointment over the circulation of the claim.

“While UNN holds a very special place in Ms. Adichie’s heart as the institution where she grew up and where her parents served as Professor and Registrar, respectively, it is disappointing that such a significant claim would be circulated without any verification.”

The statement urged the public and media organisations to disregard the reports.

“We urge the public and the media to disregard these false reports. We also request that the outlets currently carrying this news take it down immediately to avoid the further spread of misinformation.”

Renowned writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has opened up on her struggles with depression, revealing how it affected her passion for writing fiction.

In an interview with CNN Africa, Adichie said during the challenging period, she felt deeply unhappy, describing depression as a constant shadow that was hard to escape.

She admitted: “I was fighting depression. In that period, just deeply unhappy. Deeply unhappy. And there are ways to try and hide your unhappiness, but you know, it’s there. It’s a constant sort of shadow with you. And it’s not a good place to be.

“So in the years that I couldn’t write — and really not being able to write fiction when fiction is a thing that you deeply love — it’s just a terrible place to be.”

According to her, she tried to fill the creative gap by taking on more speaking engagements, hoping to find inspiration, but often returned feeling miserable, instead, she found solace in reading books and poetry, which helped her reconnect with language and her craft.

“I did a number of things. I tried to distract myself. I said yes to many more things than I ordinarily would because I just thought the writing is not happening. Okay, why don’t I just go and give the speech? And part of it was also, maybe if I go, then I’ll get inspired… but then I wouldn’t. Then I’d come back and be miserable.

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“But I think also I did things like I read the books I love. I read a lot more poetry in that period because I think poetry really helps with language. But also in the end, it’s just about waiting and hoping. You’re not in control of this thing,” she said.

The writer said she views creativity as a spiritual experience, stating that stories come from ancestors and spirits speaking to her.

“There are stories that are — so I call it the ancestors and the spirits speaking to me. So they’re really speaking to me now. And I’m very happy to be running around and singing and dancing for this novel, Dream Count, because it means a lot to me”, she said.

She expressed gratitude after overcoming her struggles and finished her novel, “Dream Count,” which has found success with readers.

“I’m grateful that I finished it, finally. I’m grateful that it’s out. I’m grateful that it’s found its readers. I’m grateful that, in some ways, really, honestly, it’s kind of everything I hoped it would be.”

Celebrated author Chimamanda Adichie has reaffirmed her commitment to raising her sons with values that promote gender equality and respect for women.

In a recent interview with BBC’s Emma Barnett, Adichie emphasised the importance of shaping future generations and combating toxic masculinity.

“I’m determined to raise good men. I’m thinking about how to make them never feel entitled to women’s bodies,” Adichie stated.

Adichie stressed the need for boys to have positive role models, highlighting the disparity between the availability of strong female figures for young girls and the lack for boys.

She expressed her desire for good men to stand up and serve as role models.

“In general, little girls now have women in public life they can admire. But I don’t think boys have that in the same way. That space is instead occupied by noxious characters and ideas. I wish the good men would stand up,” she said.

The acclaimed author, known for her feminist advocacy through works like “We Should All Be Feminists,” believes that masculinity can evolve to align with equality.

Read Also: Chimamanda Adichie releases another novel Dream Count today

“Culture doesn’t make us, we make culture. We can remake masculinity in a way that is compatible with equality. It can be done,” she asserted.

Adichie also reflected on the impact of motherhood on her life and creativity, admitting that becoming a mother influenced her writing process and led to a creative block.

“I don’t like to use the expression ‘writer’s block’ because I’m superstitious, but it happened when I became pregnant. Something changed, and I don’t think it was just physiological,” she said.

Her latest novel, “Dream Count,” marks her return to fiction after over a decade, tackling themes such as gender, race, and health with “radical honesty.”