Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has revealed that the death of her 21-month-old son, Nkanu, has profoundly changed her feelings towards Nigeria, saying she no longer wants to return to the country.
Adichie made the disclosure in an interview with The New York Times, where she was asked whether Nigeria still felt close to her heart.
“My feelings toward Nigeria have changed,” the award-winning author said, before adding, “I do not want to go back to Nigeria.” 
Nkanu, one of Adichie’s twin sons, died in December 2025 following a medical emergency at Euracare in Nigeria.
According to Adichie, Nkanu initially developed a fever and was placed on antibiotics by her husband, Ivara Esege. However, when his condition failed to improve, he was taken to hospital for further medical evaluation.
She said her son was sedated with propofol during an MRI before suffering cardiac arrest and dying the following day.
Recounting the devastating experience, Adichie said a doctor approached her after the procedure and told her: “Well, look, they gave him too much Propofol.”
“That was his exact words, which I will never forget until the day I die,” she recalled.
Adichie had previously raised allegations of medical negligence concerning her son’s treatment. The circumstances surrounding Nkanu’s death are currently the subject of a coroner’s inquest, amid disagreements between the family and the hospital over what happened.
The author said her children could ultimately be the only reason she would consider returning to Nigeria, noting that her daughter still regards the country as her “happy place.”
Reflecting on the loss of her son, Adichie described her grief as surreal.
“I mean, it is so surreal, all of this. I still can’t believe we’re talking about my son who died,” she said.
“You’re going through something, but you also feel like you’re outside of it.”
