The Lagos State Government has launched a formal probe into Chimamanda Adichie’s son’s death.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State issued the call, directing the Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA) to conduct a thorough, independent, and transparent investigation into Adichie’s son’s death.
The tragic incident involved the death of Nkanu Nnamdi, the 21-month-old son of Adichie and her husband, Dr. Ivara Esege.
Nkanu, one of the couple’s twin boys born in 2024, passed away on January 7, 2026, following a brief illness that escalated rapidly.
The family had been in Lagos for the Christmas holidays when the toddler developed what initially seemed like a mild cold but worsened into a severe infection.
Adichie publicly alleged that the child’s death was avoidable and resulted from critical failures at Euracare Multispecialist Hospital, a private healthcare facility in Lagos, on January 6.
According to her detailed account, Nkanu was taken to the hospital for routine procedures—an MRI scan and central line insertion—under sedation with propofol.
She claimed the child was not properly monitored afterward, leading to unresponsiveness, seizures, cardiac arrest, and ultimately his passing.
Adichie described the anesthesiologist’s actions as “criminally negligent” and “fatally casual,” raising further questions about prior incidents involving the same practitioner.
In the wake of these allegations, Sanwo-Olu swiftly intervened. In a statement issued by Special Adviser on Health Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi, the government expressed deep condolences to Adichie and her family, calling the loss of a child a “profound tragedy” and reaffirming Lagos State’s zero tolerance for medical negligence or unprofessional conduct.
The statement reads: “On behalf of the Government and people of Lagos State, we commiserate sincerely with Ms. Chimamanda Adichie and her family over this painful and irreparable loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this extremely difficult time.
“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.
“The Governor has directed HEFAMAA to immediately commence a thorough, independent, and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident, with a view to unraveling the immediate and remote causes of the death,” Ogunyemi said.
She explained that the investigation would involve a detailed review of clinical protocols, professional conduct, patient safety standards, and the responsibilities of all parties connected to the case.
HEFAMAA, she noted, would also collaborate with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) and other regulatory bodies to ensure credibility and professionalism in the process.
“The Agency will work in close collaboration with the MDCN and other relevant regulatory bodies to ensure a holistic, credible, and professional review process.
“Findings of the investigation will be made public as soon as the process is concluded, in the interest of transparency and public accountability,” Ogunyemi said.
She warned that any health facility or professional found culpable would face the full weight of the law.
“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,” the statement declared.
