Chimamanda Adichie Says Son’s Death Changed Her Feelings Towards Nigeria
Author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has stated she no longer wishes to return to Nigeria following the death of her 21-month-old son in a Lagos hospital. She alleges medical negligence involving an overdose of propofol during an MRI procedure.
Why it matters
The tragedy has sparked a public conversation about the quality of healthcare infrastructure in Nigeria and the personal impact of medical trauma on high-profile figures.
Award-winning Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has said the death of her 21-month-old son, Nkanu, has changed her feelings towards Nigeria, saying she no longer wants to return to the country. Adichie made the disclosure in an interview with The New York Times, where she reflected on the death of......
Award-winning Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has said the death of her 21-month-old son, Nkanu, has changed her feelings towards Nigeria, saying she no longer wants to return to the country.
Adichie made the disclosure in an interview with The New York Times, where she reflected on the death of her son in Lagos in December 2025 and how the loss has affected her relationship with her home country.
Nkanu, one of the twin boys Adichie had with her husband, Ivara Esege, became ill while the family was spending the holidays at their home in Lagos.
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