- Chimamanda Adichie says her son’s death was preventable
- The incident happened during an MRI and central line procedure
- She alleges improper monitoring after propofol sedation
- The case has sparked public concern over hospital safety
Popular Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has alleged medical negligence in the death of her 21-month-old son, Nkanu Nnamdi, who passed away on Wednesday, January 7, 2026. The writer said her son would still be alive if proper care had been taken during a medical procedure at Euracare Hospital in Lagos.
ARISE News reported on Saturday that it contacted Adichie’s media team, who confirmed that she personally wrote the statement describing what happened. According to them, the message was first shared privately with close family members and trusted friends before it became public.
ATTENTION: Click “HERE” to join our WhatsApp group and receive News updates directly on your WhatsApp!
In the emotional statement, Adichie explained that her son was taken to Euracare Hospital for an MRI scan and the insertion of a central line. She said the child was sedated with propofol but was not properly monitored afterward.
She alleged that this failure led to severe complications, including loss of responsiveness, seizures, and eventually cardiac arrest.
“My son would be alive today if not for an incident at Euracare Hospital on January 6th,” Adichie stated.
The author explained that her family had been in Lagos for Christmas when Nkanu developed what they first believed was a simple cold. His condition, however, worsened quickly and turned into a serious infection. He was admitted to Atlantis Hospital, where doctors began treating him.
According to Adichie, plans were already in place for Nkanu to travel to the United States on January 7 with a team of travelling doctors. A medical team at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore was prepared to receive him. The US doctors requested further tests, including a lumbar puncture and an MRI scan.
Atlantis Hospital then referred the family to Euracare Hospital, which they were told was the best facility to carry out the procedures. The Nigerian medical team also decided that a central line should be inserted to prepare the child for his flight.
Adichie recalled that on the morning of January 6, she and her husband took their son to Euracare, with Nkanu carried in his father’s arms. She was told he needed sedation so he would not move during the MRI and central line insertion.
While waiting outside the theatre, she noticed unusual activity.
“I saw people, including Dr M, rushing into the theatre and immediately knew something had gone wrong,” she said.
She later alleged that the anesthesiologist administered an excessive dose of propofol.
“I was told that Nkanu had been given too much propofol, became unresponsive, and had to be resuscitated,” Adichie added.
Despite efforts to save him, her son died the following day.
The incident has since raised serious questions about patient safety, sedation practices, and medical oversight in private hospitals in Nigeria.
