Several hours after a viral statement attributed to popular author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie accused a hospital of negligence in the death of her son, Nkanu Nnamdi, initial doubts emerged over its authenticity.
Many social media users first dismissed the statement as fabricated. However, ARISE Television reported on Saturday that it contacted the “Purple Hibiscus” author’s family, who confirmed that Adichie personally authored the statement.
In the statement, the 48-year-old writer maintained that her son would still be alive but for what she described as a critical incident at Euracare Hospital on 6 January.
She explained that she and her family were in Lagos for the Christmas holidays when her son—one of the twin boys she delivered in April 2024—developed symptoms they initially believed to be a common cold, which later escalated into a severe infection.
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According to Adichie, the worsening condition led to Nkanu’s admission 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. | was waiting just outside the theatre. | saw people, including Dr M, rushing into the theatre and immediately knew something had happened.”
Adichie further stated that shortly afterwards, Dr M informed her that Nkanu had been administered an excessive dose of propofol by the anaesthesiologist, rendering him unresponsive before he was resuscitated.
She said her son was subsequently placed on a ventilator, intubated and admitted into the intensive care unit.
According to her account, she later learnt that Nkanu suffered seizures and cardiac arrest—medical complications she said he had never previously experienced.
“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 theatre, so nobody knew 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.”
Lagos government orders investigation
The controversy, which generated widespread public concern and online outrage, drew the attention of the Lagos State Government.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu directed the Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA) to immediately commence a thorough, independent and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident, to determine both the immediate and remote causes of the child’s death.
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The government said HEFAMAA had already begun its investigation and visited the facility involved as part of the ongoing inquiry.
According to the agency, it will conduct a comprehensive review of all allegations and reports connected to the incident.
“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.”
HEFAMAA, which is statutorily mandated to regulate, monitor and accredit public and private health facilities across the state, said investigating allegations of medical negligence formed part of its core responsibilities.
The agency said it would collaborate closely with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) and other relevant regulatory bodies to ensure a credible and professional review process.
According to HEFAMAA, the investigation will assess compliance with clinical protocols, professional conduct, patient safety standards and the roles 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 Lagos State Government assures 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”, the statement signed by Kemi Ogunyemi, Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, read.
Hospital responds
Meanwhile, Euracare Specialist Hospital responded to the allegations in a statement signed by its management, saying some reports circulating in the public domain contained inaccuracies.
The hospital described claims that Nkanu’s death resulted from medical negligence as 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.”
The hospital said it worked collaboratively with external medical teams recommended by the family and provided all necessary clinical support throughout Nkanu’s care.
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Despite these efforts, the hospital said the child died less than 24 hours after arriving at the facility.
It added that it had commenced a detailed internal investigation in line with its 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.
“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.”
