Chimamanda Adichie says she no longer wants to return to Nigeria

Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has stated that her connection to her home country has changed following the death of her 21-month-old son, Nkanu. In an interview with The New York Times, Adichie expressed that she no longer wishes to return to Nigeria, noting that her feelings toward the nation have shifted significantly due to the tragedy.

Nkanu died following a medical emergency at Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital in Lagos. According to Adichie, after the child developed a fever and was treated with antibiotics, he underwent an MRI examination where he was administered propofol. He subsequently suffered cardiac arrest and died the following day. Adichie has publicly accused the hospital of medical incompetence and negligence.

A coroner’s inquest into the circumstances of the death is currently ongoing. The proceedings have faced delays and tension, including allegations from Euracare that the family destroyed relevant evidence by cremating the child’s remains. While Adichie and her husband, Ivara Esege, have advocated for improvements to the Nigerian healthcare system, they have not filed a lawsuit against the hospital.