Literary figures Prof. Nduka Otiono and Odoh Diego Okenyodo, co-editors of the acclaimed anthology Camouflage: Best of Contemporary Writing from Nigeria—which includes Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s celebrated short story “Half of a Yellow Sun”—have issued a heartfelt statement expressing profound sorrow over the death of Adichie’s 21-month-old son, Nnamdi (also referred to as Nkanu Nnamdi in reports).
In the statement released on Sunday, the editors joined millions of Nigerians in mourning the devastating loss, describing it as a “profoundly shattering experience” that no parent should endure.
They extended deepest condolences to Adichie and her husband, Dr. Ivara Esege, while standing in solidarity during this “unbearable time” and “dark hour.”
The tragedy unfolded on January 7, 2026, following a brief illness that began during the family’s Christmas stay in Lagos.
Adichie, in a widely circulated personal account confirmed by her representatives, alleged that her son’s death was avoidable and stemmed from “critical failures in care” during routine medical procedures at Euracare Multispecialist Hospital on January 6.
She described complications including excessive sedation with propofol, lack of proper monitoring, seizures, and cardiac arrest, asserting that “my son would be alive today if not for an incident at Euracare Hospital.
Otiono and Okenyodo urged the investigation to be impartial and comprehensive, with all details uncovered and results made public. They stressed that Nnamdi’s passing “cannot be swept under the rug” and that Nigeria must not tolerate preventable deaths due to potential negligence.
The editors highlighted broader systemic issues in Nigeria’s healthcare, where delays in care have become commonplace.
They referenced a recent corruption victimisation survey by anti-corruption NGOs TAP Initiative and Dataphyte, which identified the collection of financial tips from patients as the most prevalent form of corruption in the sector.
While not directly attributing this to the Euracare case, they noted that such practices often lead to delayed treatment and normalized lack of accountability.
Calling for accountability, the co-editors demanded: A full probe into all medical and administrative actions at every stage, immediate reforms in hospital oversight, including strict checks on procedural errors and sanctions for negligent workers and close monitoring by authorities and media to ensure transparency.