The death of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s 21-month-old son at Lagos’s Euracare Multispecialist Hospital has sparked allegations of medical negligence and renewed calls for healthcare reforms. Family members say the child was overdosed with propofol while sedated for MRI scans; a legal notice has been served and Lagos State has ordered an investigation. The case highlights wider stresses on Nigeria’s health system, including staff shortages and frequent reports of medical errors.
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s 21-Month-Old Son Dies in Lagos; Family Alleges Propofol Overdose and Calls for Health Reforms
Adichie, who was in Nigeria for the Christmas holidays, is taking legal action to get answers from the hospital (John Lamparski)(John Lamparski/GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/Getty Images via AFP)
The death of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s 21-month-old son at a private Lagos hospital has renewed scrutiny of Nigeria’s healthcare system and prompted calls for accountability and reform.
What the Family Says
Nkanu Nnamdi, one of Adichie’s twins, died on January 7 after what the family described as a "brief illness" at Euracare Multispecialist Hospital in Lagos. The family said he had been admitted for diagnostic procedures, including an MRI, ahead of a planned transfer to the United States for specialised care.
Adichie, who lives in the United States, was visiting Nigeria over the Christmas holidays. Her husband, Ivara Esege, is a medical doctor; a close family member said the couple had tried for eight years to have children.
Allegations and Response
Family members have accused the hospital of "gross medical negligence." Dr Anthea Esege Nwandu, Adichie’s sister-in-law and an experienced physician and academic, told local media she was informed the child had been given an overdose of the anaesthetic propofol while being sedated for MRI scans. She said the child suffered cardiac arrest while being carried by the anaesthesiologist after being disconnected from a ventilator.
Family representatives have served legal notice on Euracare seeking answers. Lagos State authorities have ordered an official investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death. Euracare did not immediately respond to requests for comment from AFP.
Dr Anthea Esege Nwandu called the case a "wake-up call" and urged the public to demand transparency, accountability and consequences for negligence in Nigeria's healthcare system.
Broader Healthcare Concerns
Beyond this case, Nigeria’s healthcare system faces chronic challenges: infrastructure shortfalls, uneven quality of care and frequent reports of medical errors. High-profile incidents cited in recent weeks include an alleged surgical error in Kano State in which a pair of scissors was reportedly left inside a patient, and scenes after a road accident involving British-Nigerian boxer Anthony Joshua in which no ambulance was visible.
The health sector is further strained by the emigration of medical professionals. Health Minister Muhammad Ali Pate said between 15,000 and 16,000 doctors left Nigeria between 2020 and 2024. Nigeria has roughly 55,000 doctors serving a population of about 220 million, a shortfall officials say undermines care quality.
What Comes Next
The Lagos State probe and the family’s legal action are likely to focus attention on hospital procedures, staffing and the use of anaesthetic agents in paediatric care. The case has reignited public debate about patient safety, regulation and the resources needed to improve clinical standards across Nigeria.
As investigations proceed, officials, medical experts and the public will be watching for findings and any reforms prompted by the incident.
Help us improve.
