“Medical Negligence at Lagos Hospital Killed My Son” — Chimamanda Adichie Alleges

Renowned Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has alleged that medical negligence led to the death of her 21-month-old son, Nkanu Nnamdi, at a private hospital in Lagos.

In a statement confirmed by her media team and reported by ARISE News, Adichie said her son died following complications that arose during medical procedures at Euracare Hospital on January 6, 2026. The child passed away the next day, January 7.

According to the statement, Adichie and her family were in Lagos for the Christmas holidays when Nkanu developed what initially appeared to be a cold but later progressed into a serious infection. He was admitted to Atlantis Hospital and was scheduled to be flown to the United States on January 7 with a team of travelling doctors. Medical specialists at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore were reportedly prepared to receive him.

As part of the preparations for the transfer, the Johns Hopkins team requested a lumbar puncture and an MRI scan. Atlantis Hospital referred the family to Euracare Hospital for the procedures, which were described to them as routine. Doctors also planned to insert a central line to support treatment during the flight.

Adichie said her son was sedated with propofol ahead of the MRI and central line insertion. While waiting outside the theatre, she noticed medical staff rushing in and out and was later informed that the anaesthesiologist had administered an excessive dose of the drug.

She stated that her son became unresponsive and had to be resuscitated. He was subsequently intubated, placed on a ventilator, and admitted to the intensive care unit. According to Adichie, the child later developed seizures and suffered cardiac arrest, events she said had never occurred prior to the procedure.

In her account, Adichie alleged that her son was not properly monitored after sedation. She described the anaesthesiologist’s conduct as “criminally negligent,” claiming that no appropriate monitoring protocol was followed and that oxygen support was switched off prematurely while the child was being moved to the ICU.

“We brought in a child who was unwell but stable and scheduled to travel the next day for advanced care,” she said, adding that the procedures were meant to be basic and preparatory. “And suddenly, he was gone.”

Adichie also claimed the family later learned of previous cases in which the same anaesthesiologist allegedly overdosed children. She questioned why the hospital allowed the doctor to continue practising and called for accountability to prevent similar incidents.

When contacted for comment, a spokesperson for Euracare Hospital declined to address the allegations directly, stating only: “Whatever information you need, you get it between us and Chimamanda. Thank you.”

The death of Nkanu Nnamdi has drawn widespread public attention. Several prominent Nigerians, including President Bola Tinubu, have expressed condolences to Adichie and her family.