librairie mollat, CC BY 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Renowned Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and her husband, Ivara Esege, have served a legal notice on Euracare Multispecialist Hospital in Lagos, following the tragic death of their 21-month-old son, Nkanu Nnamdi.
The notice, dated January 10, 2026, was issued by the law firm of Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Kemi Pinheiro, and names the hospital, its anaesthesiologist, and attending medical staff.
According to the notice, the toddler passed away in the early hours of January 7, 2026, after undergoing a series of medical procedures, including an echocardiogram, brain MRI, lumbar puncture, and the insertion of a central line.
These procedures were intended to prepare the child for a planned medical evacuation to the United States, where a team at Johns Hopkins Hospital was ready to receive him.
The Adichie family alleges that complications arose due to medical negligence. Among the concerns highlighted were poor monitoring after sedation, improper drug administration, insufficient oxygen support, inadequate medical personnel, delayed responses to distress, and a lack of informed consent for critical procedures.
The family also raised questions about the availability and readiness of resuscitation equipment during the interventions.
In the notice, Chimamanda Adichie and her husband formally requested certified copies of all medical records relating to their son’s care, giving the hospital seven days to comply.
They also issued a clear warning against the destruction or alteration of any evidence, stressing the importance of accountability in light of the child’s death.
The incident has sparked national attention, raising broader concerns about pediatric care, anaesthesia safety, and hospital protocols in Nigeria.
Euracare Hospital had previously expressed condolences to the family while disputing claims of negligence, stating that all procedures were carried out in line with internationally accepted medical standards.
The legal notice marks the beginning of what is expected to be a formal investigation into the hospital’s handling of Nkanu’s care, as the Adichie family seeks answers and accountability.
