Three Doctors suspended over Chimamanda Adichie’s son’s death

By Editor

The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) has suspended three doctors in the case surrounding the death of Nkanu Ndamdi Esege, the son of Nigerian writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. The child was 21 months old.

The Medical and Dental Practitioners Investigations Panel, which is an official body under the MDCN responsible for investigating such allegations against doctors, held its 25th session at the Excel Hotel and Resort in Abuja on February 17 and 18.

The suspended medical doctors include the medical director of Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital, Tunde Majekodunmi; the hospital’s anaesthesiologist, who is on the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) list; and the Chief Medical Officer of Atlantis Pediatric Hospital, Atinuke Uwajeh.

The Panel ruled that there is sufficient evidence to proceed with the allegations against the three doctors. The panel ordered their suspension from medical practice in Nigeria, pending the outcome of the case.

The Body’s secretary, Enejo Abdu, in a statement, revealed that 10 other doctors will face further investigation over allegations of professional misconduct. The ten doctors are listed as Adeseye Akinsete, Chidinma Ohagwu, Anthony Ajeh, Amarachi Bayo, Nkechi Peji, Olaoye Oludare, Agaja Oyinkansola, Patricia Akintan, Babatunde Bamgboye, and Raji Faidat.

Nkanu, one of Adichie’s twin sons, died on January 7, 2026, in Lagos.

Eight of the 21 doctors initially investigated were cleared after the panel reviewed the complaints, their responses, and the testimonies they gave.

The case stems from the death of Adichie’s toddler in Lagos after he was referred from Atlantis Hospital to Euracare for a checkup ahead of a planned medical trip to the United States in January.

Ms Adichie had publicly alleged that complications arose after her son was sedated for an MRI and central line insertion.

She claimed he was administered an excessive dose of propofol, was not properly monitored, and later suffered cardiac arrest.

The case is also before the Yaba Magistrates’ Court in Lagos, which adjourned proceedings until April 14 to commence a coroner’s inquest.

Photo: Chimamanda Adichie