The death of the 21-month-old son of award-winning author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has triggered a nationwide investigation into medical practices at a private Lagos hospital, raising serious questions about patient safety, professional accountability, and healthcare regulation in Nigeria.
On January 7, 2026, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and her husband, Dr. Ivara Esege, lost their son, Nkanu Nnamdi, after he was treated at Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital in Lagos following a brief illness.
In a statement confirming the loss, the family described the death as devastating and asked for privacy. Days later, however, the tragedy took a legal turn.
According to a formal legal notice served on Euracare Hospital and some of its medical staff, the family alleges that medical lapses during diagnostic procedures directly contributed to the child’s death.
Court documents report that the toddler was admitted on January 6 for evaluation and stabilization ahead of a planned medical evacuation to the United States. The procedures reportedly included an MRI scan, Echocardiogram, a lumbar puncture, and the insertion of a PICC line.
The family’s lawyers allege that the child was sedated with propofol under unsafe conditions, moved between hospital units without adequate oxygen support or continuous monitoring, and without proper airway protection. They claim warning signs of respiratory distress were missed, leading to seizures, cardiac complications, and eventual cardiac arrest.
The family insists this amounted to a breach of duty of care and says they were not fully informed of the risks involved.
Euracare Hospital has strongly denied any wrongdoing, stating that the child arrived critically ill and was treated according to internationally accepted medical standards. The hospital says it has launched an internal review and is cooperating with investigators.
As public attention intensified, Popular Fashion designer Toyin Lawani added to the conversation, alleging on her social media page that she previously had a negative medical experience at the same hospital, claiming she suffered complications during treatment.
While her claims are personal and not part of the Adichie lawsuit, they have further fueled public scrutiny of private healthcare facilities in Lagos.
The Lagos State Government has ordered an independent probe through HEFAMAA, while medical bodies, including the Nigerian Medical Association, have urged caution against what they describe as “media trials” as investigations continue.
As of now, no court has established liability. But the case has opened a broader national conversation about medical accountability and patient safety in Nigeria’s private healthcare system.
The family says they are pursuing legal action not just for justice, but to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
