The doctors involved in the treatment of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s son have reportedly demanded a public apology. They requested this after the Nigerian author accused them of medical negligence following the death of her child.
Adichie’s 21-month-old son, Nkanu Nnamdi Esege, died on January 7, 2026. He had a serious infection during the Christmas holiday in Nigeria and was referred to Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital.
The award-winning Nigerian writer stated that her son’s death was linked to mistakes made during the medical procedure at the Lagos hospital. 
Adichie alleged that an anesthesiologist administered an excessive dose of sedation in preparations for a medical procedure. According to her, the child later became unresponsive and suffered seizures before going into cardiac arrest.
The author also claimed that proper monitoring was not done after the sedative was administered.
Adichie and her husband, Dr. Ivara Esege, issued a legal notice demanding accountability from the hospital and the medical staff involved.
Nigeria’s medical council suspended the director of the private hospital and two other doctors following the death of their son.
Doctors Demand an Apology From Chimamanda Adichie
However, some doctors involved in the case have rejected the allegations, insisting that the claims were made before any official investigation concluded.
Medical professionals say the public accusations could damage their reputations and damage trust in the hospital and its staff.
“We believe the decision of the panel was premeditated, and the rule was misapplied. The consequence is reputational injury to many of us,” one of the doctors said, in a report by Punch Newspaper.
As a result, they reportedly demand that Adichie retract her statements and issue a public apology, since the allegations have not been proven.
Authorities in Lagos have scheduled a coroner’s inquest for April 14, 2026, to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the child’s death.
The inquiry is expected to review medical records, examine the procedures performed, and hear testimony from doctors and other hospital staff.
The outcome of the investigation could determine whether any medical negligence occurred.
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