Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s family accuses hospital of negligence following her son’s death

The family of Nigerian novelist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has accused a hospital of negligence following the death of her 21-month-old son.

Nkanu Nnamdi died Wednesday in a hospital in Nigeria following a short illness, leaving the family of the famous postcolonial feminist writer “devastated”.

Today, the family claims there were a litany of failures at the Euracare Hospital in Lagos that led to the death of the little child, including refusal of oxygen and administration of too many sedatives, causing a heart attack.

The hospital expressed its “deepest condolences” for the loss of the child, but denied inadequate care, which it said was in line with international standards.

He said Nkanu had arrived at hospital “seriously ill” and an investigation into his death was now underway.

Adichie’s sister-in-law, Dr Anthea Nwandu, made a series of allegations about the hospital in an interview with Nigerian broadcaster Arise TV on Saturday.

In it, she claimed that Euracare’s medical director told Adichie that her son “was given too many sedatives”, which then caused him to have a heart attack.

Dr Nwandu also accused medical staff of leaving the child unattended, denying him oxygen and transporting him in a manner “not consistent with standard practice”.

She alleged that Nkanu suffered brain damage due to lack of oxygen.

Similar accusations about Nkanu’s care were made in a private message from Adichie that was leaked online.

Its spokesperson, Omawumi Ogbe, told the BBC that the post was initially shared within a “close circle of family and friends” and “was not intended for public consumption”.

Ms Ogbe continued: “While we are saddened by the leak of such a deeply personal account of grief and trauma, the details it contains highlight the devastating clinical failures the family is now forced to confront.

“We hope that the content of this message, detailing the gross medical negligence that led to this tragedy, remains front and center, even as we eagerly await truth and accountability.”

Nkanu was one of the twins Adichie shared with her husband, Dr. Ivara Esege.

In response to the allegations, Euracare Hospital acknowledged the “profound and unimaginable loss” the family was experiencing, but said in a statement on Saturday that “reports currently circulating contain inaccuracies.”

He said Nkanu, who was seriously ill, was transferred to hospital after treatment at two pediatric centers, and upon arrival, staff “immediately provided care in accordance with established clinical protocols and internationally accepted medical standards, including the administration of sedation.”

He continued: “During his care, we worked collaboratively with external medical teams as recommended by his family and ensured that all necessary clinical support was provided.”

However, “despite these concerted efforts”, the boy died less than 24 hours after arriving at the hospital, the statement added.

A “detailed investigation” is underway, Euracare said, adding that it remains “committed to engaging transparently and responsibly in all clinical and regulatory processes”.

Adichie, 48, had her first child, a daughter, in 2016. Her twins were born via surrogate in 2024.

The award-winning US-based writer is known for works such as Half of a Yellow Sun, Americanah and her 2012 Ted Talk and her essay We Should All Be Feminists, which was sampled by Beyoncé on her 2013 song Flawless.

The Nigerian president was among those who expressed condolences over the death of Nkanu.

The African country’s health system has recently suffered from a severe shortage of doctors, forcing healthcare workers to work long hours and doctors to juggle jobs at public and private hospitals.

Responding to the allegations about Nkanu, Lagos State Ministry of Health spokesperson, Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi, said the state “places the highest value on human life and maintains zero tolerance for medical negligence or unprofessional conduct.”

She confirmed the state’s health watchdog had opened a “thorough, independent and transparent” investigation into the circumstances of the death.

“Any individual or institution found guilty of negligence, malpractice or violation of regulations will face the full wrath of the law,” Dr Ogunyemi said.

She urged the public to avoid speculation about the death while the official investigation was underway.