A new and painful dispute has erupted over the tragic passing of Nkanu Nnamdi Esege, the 21-month-old son of celebrated author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and her husband, Dr Ivara Esege. The child's aunt, Dr Anthea Esege Nwandu, a physician based in the United States, has publicly contested the official narrative provided by Euracare Multispecialist Hospital, alleging significant inaccuracies and a failure to meet basic medical standards.
Hospital Statement Met With Firm Rebuttal
Euracare Hospital, located on Victoria Island, Lagos, had issued a statement on Saturday, January 10, 2026, expressing sympathy to the grieving family. The hospital claimed that some reports circulating about the incident were untrue. They stated that the young child had received care at two paediatric centres before being referred to their facility for diagnostic procedures. Euracare maintained that its medical team followed established clinical protocols throughout.
However, Dr Nwandu, who is dual board-certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and the American Board of Lifestyle Medicine, provided a point-by-point refutation. She flatly denied the claim that her nephew was treated at two centres before Euracare, asserting, "He was in one hospital before coming to Euracare specifically for procedures."
Allegations of Critical Lapses in Care
Dr Nwandu's most serious allegations focus on the sedation process and patient monitoring. She challenged the hospital's assertion that it adhered to international standards during sedation. According to her professional expertise, sedating a child on oxygen mandates:
- Continuous oxygen supply
- Constant monitoring of oxygen levels, pulse, and respiration
"Did Euracare do this? No," she stated categorically, adding that staff verbally confirmed the lack of continuous monitoring when she questioned them.
She further alleged dangerous practices during the child's movement within the hospital. Dr Nwandu claimed the child was not accompanied by basic resuscitative equipment like an ambu bag, a standard precaution for a sedated patient. She described an incident where the anaesthesiologist allegedly carried the sedated child on his shoulder with no monitoring equipment and insisted on being alone with him in an elevator.
"Is it international standard for an anaesthesiologist to carry a sedated child on his shoulder, unable to visually see the child, with no monitoring? No," she argued. Another alleged lapse occurred during transfer to the ICU, where she says the oxygen supply was disconnected and the child was again carried on a shoulder, a practice she called unsafe and contrary to accepted medical protocol.
A Planned Evacuation and Calls for Accountability
Dr Nwandu emphasized that prior to the Euracare procedure, her nephew was medically stable. The child had been scheduled for a medical evacuation flight to Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, USA, where a specialist team was prepared to receive him. She contends that the absence of proper monitoring makes it impossible to know precisely when the child stopped breathing or how long he was without a pulse before resuscitation attempts began.
In response to the growing controversy, Euracare has announced it has begun an internal investigation aligned with its clinical governance standards. The hospital stated it remains committed to engaging with regulatory authorities and will continue to support the Adichie-Esege family while due process unfolds. The case has cast a spotlight on medical protocols and accountability in Nigeria's private healthcare sector, raising urgent questions for regulators and the public alike.
