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Chimamanda Alleges Medical Negligence in Death of Her Son
Nigerian writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has released an emotional account of the events surrounding the death of her 21-month-old son, Nkanu Nnamdi, alleging negligence by an anesthesiologist at Euracare Hospital in Lagos.
Talk Nigeria confirmed the authenticity of the statement through Adichie’s media team, which disclosed that the message was initially shared privately with family members and close friends before entering the public domain.
In her statement, Adichie said the tragic incident occurred on January 6, 2026, during a medical procedure at Euracare Hospital. According to her, the family had travelled to Lagos for the Christmas holidays when Nkanu developed symptoms believed to be a mild cold. His condition later worsened into a serious infection, leading to his admission at Atlantis Hospital.
She explained that plans had already been finalised to evacuate her son to the United States on January 7, with travelling doctors and a specialist team at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore prepared to receive him. As part of the evacuation process, the Johns Hopkins team requested an MRI scan and a lumbar puncture, while the Nigerian medical team also decided to insert a central line to support intravenous medication during the flight.
Adichie said Atlantis Hospital subsequently referred them to Euracare Hospital for the required procedures. On the morning of January 6, the family arrived at Euracare with the child carried in his father’s arms. She was informed that Nkanu would be sedated to prevent movement during the MRI and central line insertion.
While waiting outside the operating area, Adichie said she noticed frantic activity among medical staff, which immediately alarmed her. Shortly afterward, she was informed that her son had been administered an excessive dose of propofol by the anesthesiologist, became unresponsive, and had to be resuscitated.
She stated that Nkanu, who had no prior history of seizures or heart complications, was placed on a ventilator, intubated, transferred to the intensive care unit and later developed seizures before suffering cardiac arrest. He died several hours later.
Adichie further alleged that her son was not adequately monitored after the drug was administered and that medical staff could not establish when he became unresponsive. She also claimed that after the central line procedure, the anesthesiologist switched off the child’s oxygen and personally carried him to the ICU, a decision she described as reckless.
Describing the anesthesiologist’s actions as “criminally negligent,” Adichie accused him of failing to follow standard medical protocols and being careless with her child’s life. She said the family brought a child who was ill but stable and scheduled for overseas treatment the next day, only to lose him during procedures that were meant to be routine.
Calling the loss her “worst nightmare,” Adichie added that she later learned of two previous cases allegedly involving the same anesthesiologist overdosing children and questioned why he was still allowed to practise.
“This must never happen to another child,” she said.
As of the time of filing this report, neither Euracare Hospital nor the medical personnel mentioned had issued an official response.
Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has approved a new round of appointments and promotions with immediate effect, as part of efforts to strengthen governance and enhance institutional performance in the state.
The development was announced in a statement released on Monday by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa.
According to the statement, Abubakar Ibrahim Matawalle has been appointed as the Acting Director-General of the Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board. Matawalle, a retired permanent secretary, previously served in a similar role and also held office as the board’s executive secretary. He was described as a seasoned administrator who rose through the civil service ranks from Assistant Secretary to Permanent Secretary before retiring in 2014, after eight years in the position. The statement noted his strong track record in the effective management of Hajj operations.
Governor Yusuf also approved the promotion of Yusuf Mukhtar to the rank of Permanent Secretary.
In another appointment, Barrister Rahama Malam Alhaji was named Provost of the Kano State Anti-Corruption Institute. She was praised as an accomplished legal practitioner with over seven years’ experience spanning litigation, corporate law, electricity law, regulatory compliance and dispute resolution. The statement highlighted her professional background across both public and private sectors, including her time at the Kano Electricity Distribution Company and her role as Head of the School of Law at Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria. She holds a Master of Laws degree in International Law and was credited with pioneering initiatives such as the establishment of a Law Clinic and a Student Bar Association.
The governor further approved the promotion of veteran Kannywood actress Aina’u Ade from Special Assistant to Senior Special Assistant on Kannywood Affairs, citing her impressive performance and dedication in her previous assignment.
The statement said the latest appointments and promotions reflect the administration’s resolve to reinforce governance structures and ensure the efficient management of public institutions. Governor Yusuf urged the beneficiaries to justify the confidence reposed in them through diligence, transparency and unwavering commitment to the Kano First Agenda.
The Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) has issued a public alert over a fraudulent LinkedIn account impersonating its Director-General, Professor John Oladapo Obafunwa, urging Nigerians to disregard and report any communication linked to the fake profile.
In a statement released on Saturday by the Institute’s Media Consultant, Mr Sam Eferaro, NIMR disclosed that the impostor account has been sending misleading messages to unsuspecting individuals, falsely offering procurement opportunities, contracts and other business-related engagements.
According to the statement, the attention of the Institute was drawn to the existence of the fake LinkedIn profile posing as the Director-General, adding that all messages emanating from the account are entirely fraudulent.
NIMR cautioned members of the public against engaging with any messages purportedly sent by Professor Obafunwa through LinkedIn or other unofficial platforms, particularly those soliciting business dealings or financial commitments.
The Institute further emphasised that all legitimate interactions with vendors, contractors, partners and the public are conducted strictly through recognised and official institutional channels, in line with established public service procedures.
The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has dismissed calls by the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria demanding the removal of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, over comments he allegedly made concerning genocide.
In a statement issued on Sunday and signed by its National Secretary, Bishop David Bakare, the PFN described the demand as unfounded and unjustifiable, stressing that Prof. Amupitan, like every Nigerian, is constitutionally entitled to express opinions on matters of national interest, regardless of his public office.
The Fellowship maintained that the remarks attributed to the INEC chairman had no link to his official duties, noting that they were unrelated to elections or electoral processes, which fall within the scope of his professional responsibilities.
“We strongly oppose such calls because Prof. Amupitan, as a citizen of Nigeria, has the right to speak on issues he perceives as affecting the nation, irrespective of his appointment or position,” the statement said.
PFN further condemned suggestions that the INEC chairman should be removed on the basis of personal views expressed outside his official mandate, warning that such actions could set a dangerous precedent where public officials are penalised for holding or expressing independent opinions.
The organisation also cautioned against interpreting national discourse through religious perspectives, arguing that such an approach risks deepening societal divisions and threatening peaceful coexistence.
“We must guard against profiling individuals or judging them based on religious considerations. Prof. Amupitan has the right to express his views, and this should not come at the expense of his office,” the statement added.
The Fellowship urged stakeholders to exercise restraint and mutual respect in addressing sensitive national issues, emphasising that unity, fairness, and peaceful engagement must remain central to public discourse.
PFN reaffirmed its commitment to justice and national cohesion, calling on Nigerians to uphold democratic values in responding to differing opinions on matters affecting the country.