Renowned Nigerian author Chimamanda Adichie has once again expressed profound grief over the death of her son, Nkanu Adichie-Esege, stating that losing him has shattered her family's lives. In a letter addressed to the Chairman of the Board of Directors at Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital, she detailed the immense pain caused by the loss.
The Tragic Loss
Nkanu, the 21-month-old son of Adichie and Dr. Ivara Esege, passed away in January 2026 after receiving care at Atlantis Hospital and undergoing medical procedures at Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital in Lagos. His death led to the suspension of the hospital's Medical Director, anesthesiologist Dr. Titus Ogundare, and the Chief Medical Officer of Atlantis Pediatric Hospital, Dr. Atinuke Uwajeh, by the Medical and Dental Practitioners Investigation Panel. The trio face a disciplinary tribunal after a prima facie case of medical negligence was established in Nkanu's care.
Adichie's Heartfelt Letter
In her letter, Adichie poured out her pain: "Our twin boys were our precious and perfect gifts. My husband and I were so grateful to be blessed with them. They brought us, and their older sister, so much happiness." She described the loss as "inexpressible pain" and noted how it has permanently changed her family. "To have Nkanu gone so cruelly, so unfairly, so carelessly, has brought an inexpressible pain. In truth, this loss is too much for us, too inconceivable. As each day passes, the darkness blackens even more."
She added that her ten-year-old daughter has shut down, and Nkanu's twin brother is confused and often asks for him. "He is now forever bereft of his brother. Our relatives who adored Nkanu are all suffering." Adichie emphasized that losing a child is a parent's worst nightmare and that Euracare has deprived them of peace and privacy to grieve. "We have instead had to contend with actions from Euracare that have poisoned – and continue to poison – our mourning."
Legal Battle Over Inquest
Meanwhile, the Attorney-General of Lagos State, Mr. Lawal Pedro (SAN), and the presiding coroner for the Lagos Coroner's District have challenged a suit seeking to halt the ongoing inquest into Nkanu's death. They urged the court to dismiss the application as an attempt to circumvent legal procedures. Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital had secured an interim order from Justice A.O. Opesanwo of the Lagos State High Court staying the inquest pending determination of their substantive application. The hospital seeks orders to quash coroner decisions and restrain further proceedings. However, the respondents argue that the suit is incompetent, premature, and an abuse of court process, stating that the applicant failed to establish a legal basis for judicial review.
