Prominent Nigerians, including Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, have extended heartfelt condolences to globally acclaimed author, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, following the tragic death of her young son. The 21-month-old boy, Nkanu Nnamdi, passed away on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, after a brief illness, plunging the literary icon's family and the nation into mourning.
A Wave of Condolences from the Nation's Elite
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, shared her sympathies on Instagram on Saturday, January 10. She posted a photograph of Adichie alongside a prayerful message. "You are in my prayers, dear Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie," she wrote. "Only God heals a devastated heart; may your family be wrapped in His embrace. RIP baby Nkanu."
Her message echoed the sentiments of the highest offices in the land. President Bola Tinubu described the loss of a child as uniquely devastating, offering his prayers to the family. Similarly, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, through his spokesman Paul Ibe, expressed that "there can be no loss like the loss of a child" and prayed for strength for the Adichie and Esege families.
Circumstances of the Tragedy and Emerging Questions
The family's official statement, released by Omawumi Ogbe on Thursday, January 8, confirmed the heartbreaking news. It revealed that Nkanu, one of Adichie's twin boys born via surrogacy in 2024, died after a short illness. The family pleaded for privacy during their period of immense grief.
However, fresh details have surfaced regarding the child's final hours, raising serious concerns. Sources indicate the family was in Lagos for the Christmas holidays when the toddler developed an infection. He was taken to Euracare Multispecialist Hospital on Victoria Island, Lagos, on January 6 for tests requested by an overseas medical team.
A full medical evacuation to the United States was already scheduled for January 7. Tragically, the child's condition deteriorated before the transfer could occur. Individuals close to the family have since questioned the adequacy of the care he received at the facility, with one source starkly claiming, "This wasn't an act of God. This was a failure of care."
Hospital's Firm Rejection of Negligence Allegations
In response to the growing whispers, Euracare Multispecialist Hospital issued a detailed public statement to address what it termed "inaccuracies" in circulating reports. The hospital extended its deepest sympathies to the Adichie family but firmly rejected any suggestion of medical negligence.
The statement clarified that the child was "critically ill" upon referral to their facility, having already received treatment at two other paediatric centres. Euracare asserted that its internationally trained team provided care in line with established clinical protocols and worked collaboratively with external specialists as arranged by the family.
"Despite these concerted efforts, the patient sadly passed away less than 24 hours after presenting at our facility," the hospital noted. It confirmed that an internal investigation had commenced in line with its clinical governance standards, while reiterating its commitment to patient safety and compassion during this devastating time for the family.
The Adichie family has maintained a dignified silence, adhering to their initial request for privacy as they navigate this profound loss. The author, a recipient of numerous global accolades including a spot on Time Magazine's 100 most influential people list, is widely mourned by fans and colleagues alike in this moment of personal tragedy.
