Son’s death changed everything – Chimamanda Adichie opens up on Nigeria

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Acclaimed Nigerian writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has opened up about how the death of her young son has changed her relationship with Nigeria, revealing that she currently has no desire to return to the country.

In a recent interview with The New York Times, the award-winning author was asked whether Nigeria still carried the same emotional significance for her. Her response reflected the profound impact of the tragedy she experienced earlier this year.

Adichie lost her toddler son, Nkanu, one of her twin boys, on January 7, 2026, following medical treatment in Lagos. 

The circumstances surrounding his death have since become the subject of a coroner’s inquest, with questions being examined about the medical care he received before his death.

According to Adichie’s account, the ordeal began after Nkanu developed a fever. Her husband, Ivara Esege, initially treated him with antibiotics, but his condition reportedly failed to improve. The family subsequently took him to a hospital for further assessment.

The child was later sedated with propofol before undergoing an MRI scan. During the procedure, he suffered cardiac arrest and died the following day.

Adichie recalled being approached afterward by a doctor who was visibly distressed. She said the doctor explained that the child had received an excessive dose of the sedative, an account that has become part of the wider questions surrounding the circumstances of his death.

The tragedy has prompted a formal investigation through a coroner’s inquest in Lagos. Adichie has expressed concerns about possible medical negligence, although the matter remains under examination and no final determination has been established. 

Reports have also indicated disagreements between the family and the hospital have contributed to delays in the process.

Despite the painful experience, Adichie has not completely severed her emotional connection to Nigeria.

 She acknowledged that her children could still provide a reason for her to return, particularly because her daughter continues to associate the country with happy memories.

For Adichie herself, however, the meaning of Nigeria has changed dramatically. She described the country as once being central to her identity and development as a writer, crediting it with providing much of the experience that shaped who she became.

The loss of her son has complicated that relationship, replacing some of the affection she once felt with grief and painful memories. 

Reflecting on the experience, she described the process of mourning as deeply surreal, saying she can feel completely consumed by the loss while also experiencing moments of detachment from it.

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