The Lagos State Government has directed that an independent probe be carried out into claims of medical negligence following the death of Nkanu Nnamdi, the 21-month-old son of celebrated Nigerian writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

 

The child passed away on 7 January 2026 after a short illness and a series of medical interventions at a private hospital in Lagos, according to accounts from officials and family representatives.

 

Adichie, the globally acclaimed author of Half of a Yellow Sun and Americanah, has publicly blamed her son’s death on what she described as “criminally negligent” medical treatment at Euracare Hospital, Lagos. The toddler had been taken to the facility for diagnostic procedures ahead of a planned medical evacuation to the United States.

 

In a detailed statement confirmed by her media team, Adichie explained that the family had been in Lagos for the Christmas holidays when Nkanu developed symptoms that initially appeared to be a mild respiratory infection but rapidly deteriorated. He was first attended to at Atlantis Hospital before being referred to Euracare on 6 January for an MRI scan, a lumbar puncture and the placement of a central line in preparation for transfer to a specialist team at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore.

 

She alleged that her son was sedated with propofol for the procedures but was not adequately monitored afterward. According to her account, the toddler was administered an excessive dose of the anaesthetic, became unresponsive and had to be resuscitated. He was subsequently placed on a ventilator, developed seizures and later suffered cardiac arrest, dying several hours later.

 

In an emotional account, Adichie questioned how a critically ill child could be sedated without proper post-procedure monitoring. She described the conduct of the anaesthesiologist involved as dangerously casual and negligent, accusing the practitioner of showing a reckless disregard for her child’s life. She further claimed that after the insertion of the central line, her son’s oxygen supply was turned off before he was transferred to intensive care, and that he was physically carried without continuous monitoring—actions she said amounted to serious professional lapses.

 

Adichie also stated that the family had since become aware of at least two prior cases allegedly involving anaesthetic overdoses linked to the same practitioner, raising broader concerns about patient safety and regulatory oversight.

 

Reacting to the allegations, the Lagos State Government said it had received formal notification of the disturbing claims and disclosed that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had instructed the Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA) to undertake a “comprehensive, independent and transparent” investigation into the circumstances surrounding the child’s death.

 

The state government conveyed its sympathies to the bereaved family and reaffirmed its resolve to ensure strict adherence to clinical standards and accountability across the healthcare sector.

 

Euracare Hospital, a prominent private medical facility in Nigeria, has acknowledged the incident, expressed condolences to the family and announced that it has initiated an internal review in line with established clinical governance procedures.

 

In its statement, the hospital noted that some reports in circulation were inaccurate, while reiterating its commitment to best medical practices and cooperation with regulatory authorities, without directly addressing the specific allegations raised.

 

The tragic case has renewed discussions in Nigeria and beyond on issues of patient safety, professional oversight and accountability in private healthcare facilities, particularly in the area of critical paediatric care.

 

Professional bodies, including the Nigerian Society of Anaesthetists, have indicated that they are closely following the matter and will support any formal investigations.

 

Adichie and her husband, Dr Ivara Esege, a Nigerian-American physician, have requested privacy as they grieve the loss of their son. The Lagos State Government has stated that the outcome of the investigation will be made public once it is completed.