Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has accused Euracare Multispecialist Hospital in Lagos of medical negligence following the death of her 21-month-old son, Nkanu Nnamdi, during a medical procedure on January 6, 2026.
Nkanu, one of Adichie’s twin sons born via surrogacy in 2024, had been receiving treatment for an infection while the family was in Lagos during the Christmas holidays. According to a statement attributed to Adichie and confirmed by her media representatives, the child was initially treated at Atlantis Hospital and two pediatric facilities over the course of more than a week.
While still ill, he was described as stable and scheduled for medical evacuation to Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore on January 7.
As part of preparations for the evacuation, doctors recommended an MRI scan, lumbar puncture, and insertion of a central venous line. Atlantis Hospital referred the family to Euracare Multispecialist Hospital for the procedures. Nkanu was admitted to Euracare on January 6 and sedated with propofol to allow the procedures to be carried out.
Adichie alleged that the anesthesiologist administered an excessive dose of sedative and failed to properly monitor the child. In her account, she stated that Nkanu became unresponsive during the process and subsequently suffered seizures and cardiac arrest. He was intubated and placed on a ventilator before being transferred to the intensive care unit, where he died several hours later.
She further alleged that the anesthesiologist involved had previously overdosed other pediatric patients and questioned why the hospital continued to allow him to practice. Adichie described the incident as avoidable and said her son had been unwell but stable prior to the procedure.
The allegations were reinforced by Adichie’s sister-in-law, Dr. Anthea Nwandu, during an interview on Arise Television. Nwandu stated that Euracare’s medical director informed the family that excessive sedation contributed to the child’s cardiac arrest and cited lapses in oxygen administration and handling during transfer.
Euracare Multispecialist Hospital, in a statement released on January 10, expressed condolences to the family but rejected claims of negligence. The hospital said Nkanu arrived in a critical condition after receiving care at two pediatric centers and maintained that all medical interventions followed established clinical protocols and internationally accepted standards.
It added that the child died less than 24 hours after admission and that some public reports contained inaccuracies. Euracare confirmed it had initiated an internal investigation in line with clinical governance requirements.
The Lagos State Government has ordered an independent investigation through the Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA). Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu extended condolences to the family and reiterated the state’s position that medical negligence would not be tolerated if proven. The Nigerian Society of Anaesthetists has also indicated it is observing the case.
President Bola Tinubu and other public figures have issued condolence messages, while the incident has generated significant public reaction online, with renewed scrutiny of patient safety standards and regulatory oversight within Nigeria’s healthcare system.
Adichie and her family have requested privacy as investigations continue.
#AdichieCase #MedicalNegligence #HealthcareAccountability #AfricanMedia
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