Prominent lawyer and former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President, Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, has issued a powerful demand for the immediate creation of an independent Health Regulatory Authority for Nigeria. This urgent call follows the recent and tragic death of Nkanu Nnamdi, the son of celebrated author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and her husband, Dr. Ivara Esege, at a private hospital in Lagos.
A Legal Specialist's Prescription for Change
Dr. Agbakoba, who leads the medical malpractice practice at Olisa Agbakoba Legal (OAL), outlined a comprehensive reform agenda. He stressed that the new authority must have real power to inspect health facilities, enforce standards, and sanction those who fail to comply. The proposed overhaul includes reinstating the Office of Chief Medical Officer at both federal and state levels with clear enforcement mandates.
Furthermore, Agbakoba called for mandatory registration and periodic inspection of all health facilities, coupled with transparent reporting requirements. He also advocated for establishing independent investigation mechanisms with the authority to access and preserve medical records without obstruction.
"There should be a clear separation between policy formulation and regulatory enforcement within the health sector governance structure," Agbakoba stated. He emphasized the need for comprehensive legislative reform to update Nigeria’s outdated health laws, ensuring they reflect modern standards of care, accountability, and patient safety.
A National Emergency Requiring Immediate Action
In a strongly worded statement, Agbakoba described the situation as a national emergency. "The time for a comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria’s health system is long overdue," he declared. "We cannot continue to lose precious lives to preventable medical errors whilst the regulatory framework remains in shambles. This is a matter of national emergency that demands immediate legislative and executive action."
Drawing from his experience as a medical negligence legal specialist, Agbakoba expressed grave concern over the recurring incidents of preventable deaths caused by practitioner negligence across the country. He commended the Lagos State Government for its prompt commitment to investigating the recent tragedy and also praised the involved hospital, Euracare, for agreeing to cooperate. However, he insisted that such probes must be genuinely independent and transparent to be credible.
Anaesthetists Seek Role in Lagos Investigation
In a related development, the Nigerian Society of Anaesthetists (NSA) has formally requested that the Lagos State government include its representatives in the ongoing investigation into Nkanu Nnamdi's death. NSA President, Professor Alhassan Mohammed, issued a statement on January 13, 2026, commending Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for directing the Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency to begin a probe.
Professor Mohammed highlighted that the alleged negligence appeared to involve the anaesthetist who administered sedation during an MRI procedure. "The NSA strongly recommends that a senior and experienced physician anaesthetist be co‑opted into the investigative panel for a comprehensive review of the incident," he stated.
He added that while the case was undeniably tragic, it presented a critical opportunity to review and strengthen anaesthesia practice standards not only in Lagos but across Nigeria. This call from a key medical specialty body underscores the widespread recognition of systemic failures and the pressing need for multidisciplinary input in crafting solutions.
The converging demands from a leading legal mind and medical professionals signal a growing consensus that Nigeria's health regulatory framework is in dire need of repair. The tragic loss has become a catalyst for urgent calls to action, aiming to prevent future, avoidable fatalities.
