A Lagos coroner’s court has scheduled an inquest into the death of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s 21-month-old son. The hearing is set to begin on April 14 and follows the toddler’s death in early January after a short illness.
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is an internationally acclaimed author whose novels and public talks on identity, migration, feminism and culture have made her one of the most influential writers of her generation.
According to family accounts, the child, named Nkanu, was admitted to Euracare Multispecialist Hospital in Lagos for diagnostic tests, including an MRI, as part of preparations for specialized treatment planned in the United States. Family members have alleged gross medical negligence, saying the toddler may have been given an overdose of the anesthetic propofol during sedation for imaging. They say he suffered cardiac arrest while being moved without ventilator support.
Anthea Esege Nwandu, a physician and Adichie’s sister-in-law, told local broadcaster TVC that the anesthesiologist did not follow proper protocol during the procedures. Those allegations are central to the inquest, which will examine the circumstances of the care provided and the events that led to the child’s death.
The case has intensified scrutiny of Nigeria’s healthcare system and renewed calls for reform. Many Nigerians who can afford care travel abroad for treatment amid longstanding concerns about infrastructure, staffing and patient safety. Between 2020 and 2024, an estimated 15,000 to 16,000 doctors left the country. In 2024 Health Minister Muhammad Ali Pate reported there were about 55,000 doctors serving a population of roughly 220 million.
As the inquest proceeds, it is expected to shed light on the specific medical decisions made in this case and could feed broader debates about standards, accountability and the need for systemic improvements in Nigerian healthcare.