The Nigerian Society of Anaesthetists (NSA) says it is actively monitoring allegations of medical negligence surrounding the death of Nkanu Nnamdi, the 21‑month‑old son of internationally acclaimed author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and her husband, Dr Ivara Esege.
The society’s National President, Prof. Alhassan Mohammed, disclosed this during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Lagos, underscoring professional scrutiny of the circumstances leading to the child’s death.
An official statement issued by the family through Omawumi Ogbe of GLG Communications confirmed that Nkanu died on January 7, 2026, after a brief illness.
The statement said, “The family is devastated by this profound loss, and we request that their privacy be respected during this incredibly difficult time.”
The family attributed the tragedy to an unexpected turn during medical procedures at a Lagos private hospital, triggering public and professional concern.
Adichie’s representatives allege that her son was sedated with propofol during preparations for diagnostic procedures, including an MRI scan and central line insertion ahead of a planned medical evacuation to the United States.
According to accounts circulating in media reports, Nkanu became unresponsive after sedation, later developed seizures and suffered a cardiac arrest.
Adichie’s media team said the boy “would be alive today if not for an incident at Euracare Hospital on January 6,” where the procedures were conducted.
Prof. Mohammed told NAN that the NSA is monitoring the matter and will await more information before commenting further.
He said any professional inquiry would examine the registration status of the individuals and facilities involved, compliance with approved scopes of practice, adherence to established medical protocols, and whether negligence contributed to the incident.
He noted that the hospital itself is likely to conduct an internal review by examining patient records and documented evidence, and that an independent investigative panel might be established based on how the family chooses to proceed.
The allegations have drawn widespread attention, with Nigerians and international observers following developments around the circumstances of Nkanu’s death.
Reports indicate that the family had originally planned to transfer the child to a specialist facility in the United States for further treatment, where a medical team in Baltimore was expected to receive him.
At the time of publication, Euracare Hospital had not issued a public response to the negligence allegations, and there is no official statement from the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria on the matter.
Observers say the case may prompt broader discussions within the medical community on patient monitoring, protocol compliance and the oversight of clinical procedures, particularly involving young and vulnerable patients.
As investigations unfold, NSA’s continued monitoring reflects the attention the professional body is giving to the case, with potential implications for medical practice standards and regulatory oversight in Nigeria’s healthcare sector.
