By Ibrahim Salaudeen, Lagos
Lagos State governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has ordered a comprehensive investigation over the death of one of the twin sons of Nigerian author, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, who passed away in a specialist health facility in Lagos on January 6, 2026.
The grieving global writer and Odelu Uwa of Oba in Anambra State, Chief Chimamanda, said the boy died just as he was scheduled to travel to the United States of America the following day.
The Daily Crucible reports that on Saturday, the acclaimed author had accused Euracare Hospital in Lagos of criminal negligence leading to the death of her son, lamenting that she might not survive the loss.
She also vowed that no other child would suffer similar fate in the same health facility, suggesting that she may challenge the alleged negligence by the hospital’s Anaesthesiologist in court.
However, reacting to the death and concerns raised by Chimamanda, the state government said, “The attention of the Lagos State government has been drawn to the deeply distressing report by renowned Nigerian author, Ms Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, concerning the tragic death of her son, Nkanu, following a medical incident at a private healthcare facility in Lagos on January 6.
“On behalf of the government and people of Lagos State, the Lagos State government commiserates sincerely with Ms. Chimamanda Adichie and her family over this painful and irreparable loss. The death of a child is a profound tragedy, and our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this extremely difficult time. Lagos State government extends its heartfelt condolences and assures the family of its concern and commitment to justice.
“The Lagos State Government places the highest value on human life and maintains zero tolerance for medical negligence or unprofessional conduct in any health facility operating within the State.
“In line with this commitment, the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has directed the Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA) to immediately commence a thorough, independent, and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident, with a view to unraveling the immediate and remote causes of the death.
“In line with this directive, HEFAMAA has since commenced investigation and has visited the facility involved as part of the ongoing inquiry. The Agency will conduct a comprehensive review of all allegations and reports relating to the incident.
HEFAMAA, which is statutorily established to regulate, monitor, and accredit both public and private health facilities in Lagos State, also, as part of its core mandate, carries out routine investigation of all cases of alleged medical negligence and unethical practices. This statutory responsibility is exercised consistently to uphold patient safety, professional standards, and the quality of health service delivery across the State.
“The agency will work in close collaboration with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) and other relevant regulatory bodies in the course of the investigation to ensure a holistic, credible, and professional review process.
“The investigation will examine the allegations raised, including compliance with established clinical protocols, professional conduct, patient safety standards, and the roles and responsibilities of all parties involved. Findings of the investigation will be made public as soon as the process is concluded, in the interest of transparency and public accountability.’
The state government, in a statement signed by the adviser to the governor on Health, Lagos State, Dr (Mrs) Kemi Ogunyemi, assured the public that any individual or institution found culpable of negligence, professional misconduct, or regulatory violations will face the full wrath of the law, in accordance with existing legal and regulatory frameworks.
“While the investigation is ongoing, the government urges the public to remain calm and avoid speculation, as due process is being followed to ensure fairness, justice, and credibility of outcomes.
“Lagos State remains committed to safeguarding the health, safety, and rights of all residents and to continuously strengthening oversight of medical practice to prevent the recurrence of such tragic incidents. Once again, we extend our deepest condolences to Ms Chimamanda Adichie and her family.”
In the same vein, the chairman, Lagos Chapter Nigerian Medical association (NMA), Dr Babajide Saheed said that the association would investigate the incident.
He said, “We don’t have details of the whole matter as of now. What we will do as NMA is to investigate the case because there are a lot of cases like that that I see on social media. And we have too many people, instead of going to social media, there are ways you can address your issue.
“You can go to the Seeker at the association level, Nigerian Medical Association, or go to the MDCN. I think the best thing is to go to the association of such people. If the association looks at you and you are not satisfied, you cannot go to the MDCN.
“I think the issue of social media for me, for us, has to stop. There are means you get grievances known. But now, I don’t have much information about it. The only thing I can say is that NMA, we try to write to the hospital. If we can get the address of the complainer, try to get their address and try to investigate the matter, and the accused. So by this we have to be fair to both parties, and both parties should get justice.
“But as of now, we don’t have much information. And what you see is read on social media, and you know you can’t depend on what you read on social media.
“We will get in touch with the hospital. And also if the aggrieved person can even write NMA or get in contact with NMA, it makes it easier for us to invite the two parties. And we now try to investigate it.
“That’s what we have to do. But as of now, we don’t have much information. The only thing we can do is to investigate. Get in contact with the hospital. And you can also get in contact with the bereaved group. And you can get in contact with them. And we need to investigate it.
“We cannot make pronouncements until we hear from both sides.
That’s what we tell the journalists also to do is to hear from both sides before bringing anything out.
“For now we can say that NMA will investigate the case and give the two parties fair hearing. We will find out where the problem is. Is it from the hospital side? Is it a systemic problem? Did they do what they’re supposed to have done? And have they done what they’re supposed to have done. Or did the death just come from the complication or anything? Therefore, we cannot be able to say until we investigate.”
The author claimed that her son would have been alive if not for what she described as “criminal negligence” at the Euracare Hospital but the specialist hospital denied the allegation of negligence, stating that it had launched an investigation to unravel circumstances leading to the death of the child.
Chimamanda revealed that her family was in Lagos for Christmas when Nkanu developed what initially appeared to be a cold but soon turned out to be a serious infection
Recounting the saddening incident in a trending statement, she said “We were in Lagos for Christmas. Nkanu had what we first thought was just a cold, but soon turned into a very serious infection and he was admitted to Atlantis hospital.
He was to travel to the US the next day, January 7th, accompanied by Travelling Doctors. A team at Johns Hopkins was waiting to receive him in Baltimore. The Hopkins team had asked for a lumbar puncture test and an MRI. The Nigerian team had also decided to put in a ‘central line’ (used to administer iv medications) in preparation for Nkanu’s flight. Atlantis hospital referred us to Euracare Hospital, which was said to be the best place to have the procedures done.
The morning of the 6th, we left Atlantis hospital for Euracare, Nkanu carried in his father’s arms. We were told he would need to be sedated to prevent him from moving during the MRI and the ‘central line’ procedure.
I was waiting just outside the theater. I saw people, including Dr M, rushing into the theater and immediately knew something had happened.
A short time later, Dr M came out and told me Nkanu had been given too much propofol by the anesthesiologist, had become unresponsive and was quickly resuscitated. But suddenly Nkanu was on a ventilator, he was intubated and placed in the ICU. The next thing I heard was that he had seizures. Cardiac arrest. All these had never happened before. Some hours later, Nkanu was gone
It turns out that Nkanu was NEVER monitored after being given too much propofol. The anesthesiologist had just casually carried Nkanu on his shoulder to the theater, so nobody knows when exactly Nkanu became unresponsive.
How can you sedate a sick child and neglect to monitor him? Later, after the ‘central line’ procedure, the anesthesiologist casually switched off Nkanu’s oxygen and again decided to carry him on his shoulder to the ICU!
The anesthesiologist was CRIMINALLY negligent. He was fatally casual and careless with the precious life of a child. No proper protocol was followed.
We brought in a child who was unwell but stable and scheduled to travel the next day. We came to conduct basic procedures. And suddenly, our beautiful little boy was gone forever. It is like living your worst nightmare. I will never survive the loss of my child.
We have now heard about two previous cases of this same anesthesiologist overdosing children. Why did Euracare allow him to keep working? This must never happen to another child.”
Since the loss occured, a flurry of condolences have been pouring in, all comforting Chimamanda Adichie. Among the prominent people that have sympathized with the famed writer was President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Tinubu had on Thursday condoled with the author, her husband, Dr. Ivara Esege, and thhis trying moment. My prayers are with the family,” the President added.
Euracare Hospital Reacts, says boy’s death not caused by negligence
“We extend our deepest sympathies to Chimamanda Adichie and family on the demise of their son and acknowledge the profound and unimaginable loss they are experiencing during this deeply distressing time. The loss of a child is beyond words, and we offer our most heartfelt condolences to his parents and the entire family.
We find it necessary, for the record, to clarify that some of the reports currently being circulated contain inaccuracies. In particular, the suggestion that this tragic outcome resulted from medical negligence is erroneous.
Our facility is a reputable centre for complex medical care, led by an internationally trained and experienced clinical team. The patient, who was critically ill, was referred to our facility for specific diagnostic procedures after receiving treatment for over a week at two paediatric centres. Upon arrival, our medical team immediately provided care in line with established clinical protocols and internationally accepted medical standards, including the administration of sedation where clinically indicated.
In the course of his care, we worked collaboratively with external medical teams as recommended by his family and ensured that all necessary clinical support was provided. Despite these concerted efforts, the patient sadly passed away less than 24 hours after presenting at our facility.
We have commenced a detailed investigation consistent with our clinical governance standards and best practices. We remain committed to engaging transparently and responsibly with all clinical and regulatory processes. We recognise that the family is grieving an irreplaceable loss and we shall continue to support them in any way that may bring comfort during this devastating period.
As medical professionals, we carry the weight of this loss deeply. Our priority remains compassion, patient safety, and the responsible handling of this matter, while respecting the family’s privacy and allowing due process to take its course. We continue to hold the family in our thoughts and prayers.
SIGNED BY:
MANAGEMENT, EURACARE MULTISPECIALIST HOSPITAL
