Renowned Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has released a deeply emotional statement detailing the circumstances surrounding the death of her 21-month-old son, Nkanu, following a medical incident at a private hospital in Lagos.
ARISE News confirmed with Adichie’s media representatives that she is the author of the statement, which was initially shared privately with close family members and friends before becoming public. In the statement, Adichie alleges that her son’s death followed serious lapses in medical care during a procedure at Euracare Hospital on 6 January.
According to Adichie, the family had been in Lagos for the Christmas holidays when Nkanu developed what initially appeared to be a mild cold. His condition rapidly worsened into what she described as a severe infection, leading to his admission to Atlantis Hospital. Plans were already in place for Nkanu to be flown to the United States the following day, 7 January, accompanied by travelling doctors, with a specialist team at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore prepared to receive him.
Before the transfer, doctors requested that Nkanu undergo a lumbar puncture, an MRI scan and the insertion of a central line to administer intravenous medication. Atlantis Hospital referred the family to Euracare Hospital, which Adichie said was the best facility for the procedures.
On the morning of 6 January, Nkanu was taken to Euracare, carried by his father. Adichie stated that she was informed her son would need sedation to prevent movement during the MRI and central line procedure. While waiting outside the theatre, she noticed medical staff rushing inside and immediately sensed that something was wrong.
A doctor later told her that the anaesthesiologist had administered Nkanu an excessive dose of propofol, had become unresponsive and required resuscitation. Nkanu was subsequently placed on a ventilator, transferred to the intensive care unit and began experiencing seizures, followed by cardiac arrest. He died later that day.
In her statement, Adichie alleges that her son was not adequately monitored after sedation and that critical safety protocols were ignored. She further claims that the anaesthesiologist acted with “criminal negligence” and raised concerns about reports of previous incidents involving the same doctor.
Adichie described the loss of her son as “living your worst nightmare” and called for accountability, stating that no other family should endure a similar tragedy. Euracare Hospital has not publicly responded to the allegations at the time of reporting.
