Award-winning Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has accused a Lagos-based private hospital of attempting to conceal the circumstances surrounding the death of her 21-month-old son, Nkanu Nnamdi Adichie-Esege.
In a letter dated April 16, 2026, and later published on her social media page, Adichie alleged that officials of Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital engaged in actions aimed at covering up what she described as medical negligence that led to her son’s death.
The acclaimed novelist said she decided to make the letter public because remaining silent would amount to enabling wrongdoing.
According to Adichie, the hospital’s Medical Director, Dr. Tosin Majekodunmi, visited her family shortly after the tragedy and allegedly admitted that the anaesthesiologist involved in the procedure failed to meet the required standard of care.
“Dr. Majekodunmi told us that too much propofol had been administered to Nkanu,” Adichie stated, adding that the doctor accepted responsibility and promised disciplinary action against the anaesthesiologist, Dr. Titus Ogundare.
However, she claimed that communication from the medical director ceased shortly afterwards and that the hospital’s management subsequently took control of the matter.
Adichie further challenged the cause of death listed on her son’s death certificate, which reportedly attributed the death to bacterial and fungal meningitis.
“When Nkanu arrived at the hospital that morning, he was conscious, responsive and interacting normally. He was unwell, but he was not in a critical condition,” she wrote.
The author argued that the death certificate should instead reflect what she believes were the actual medical events that occurred, including improper sedation, hypoxic brain injury and cardiac arrest.
She also alleged that a prominent individual connected to the hospital’s ownership warned through a family member that pursuing legal action could expose her to damaging attacks.
Adichie described the message as both manipulative and intimidating.
“They can say whatever they wish about me, but our pursuit of justice will continue,” she said.
The writer questioned the hospital’s conduct regarding the ongoing coroner’s inquest, noting that Euracare had initially requested the inquiry in response to reports of possible negligence.
“If the hospital truly seeks the truth, why would it introduce delays and later attempt to halt the inquest?” she asked.
Legal proceedings surrounding the case remain ongoing. In May, the Lagos State High Court granted Euracare permission to challenge the jurisdiction of the Coroner’s Court and ordered a temporary suspension of the inquest pending the outcome of the judicial review application.
The Lagos State Attorney-General, Lawal Pedro (SAN), and the state’s Chief Coroner have opposed the hospital’s application, arguing that it is premature and constitutes an abuse of court process.
Nkanu, one of Adichie’s twin sons, died on January 7, 2026, following complications during a sedation procedure at the hospital.
Following the incident, the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria suspended Dr. Ogundare, Dr. Majekodunmi and Dr. Atinuke Uwajeh, Chief Medical Officer of Atlantis Pediatric Hospital, pending the conclusion of disciplinary proceedings.
As of the time of filing this report, Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital had not publicly responded to Adichie’s latest allegations.
