The Nigerian Society of Anaesthetists, says it is monitoring allegations of medical negligence linked to the death of the 21-month-old son of renowned author, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.
The child, Nkanu Nnamdi, reportedly died on January 7, 2026, after a brief illness, according to a family statement.
Adichie and her husband, Dr Ivara Esege, announced the loss through their representatives, describing the period as one of profound grief and asking for privacy.
However, days after the announcement, Adichie publicly alleged that medical negligence at a Lagos private hospital contributed to her son’s death. She claimed that Nkanu was taken to Euracare Hospital for an MRI scan and the placement of a central line ahead of a planned medical evacuation to the United States.
According to her account, the child was sedated with propofol but was not adequately monitored during and after the procedure, resulting in complications including loss of consciousness, seizures, and eventual cardiac arrest.
Reacting to the allegations, the National President of the Nigerian Society of Anaesthetists, Prof. Alhassan Mohammed, said the professional body was closely following developments surrounding the case.
“We are monitoring the situation and the allegations that have been made,” Mohammed said in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos.
“The hospital involved is likely to carry out its own internal investigation by reviewing both oral accounts and documented medical records.”
He explained that hospitals typically maintain comprehensive patient records—either electronic or manual—which can be examined as part of any inquiry.
Mohammed added that an independent investigative panel could also be constituted, depending on whether the family decides to formally pursue the matter.
“If it is taken further, the investigation will look at whether the personnel and facility involved were properly registered, whether they operated within approved scopes of practice, and whether established medical protocols were followed,” he said. “It will also determine if any act of negligence contributed to the incident.”
The NSA president noted that the association would refrain from making definitive comments until more verified information becomes available.
“We are awaiting more details before drawing conclusions,” Mohammed said.
In an earlier statement issued by the family’s spokesperson, Omawumi Ogbe of GLG Communications, the family described the loss as devastating.
“The family is shattered by this profound loss and respectfully requests privacy during this incredibly difficult time,” the statement read.
The case has continued to draw public attention, reigniting conversations around patient safety, medical accountability, and monitoring standards in Nigeria’s healthcare system.
