“I Do Not Want to Go Back to Nigeria” — Chimamanda Adichie Says Son’s Death Has Changed Her Relationship With Nigeria

Award winning Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has revealed that the death of her 21 month old son, Nkanu, in Lagos has deeply changed her relationship with Nigeria, saying she has not returned to the country in six months.

In a candid interview with Veronica Chambers of The New York Times, conducted at the family’s home in Maryland, United States, Adichie and her husband, physician Ivara Esege, spoke about the devastating loss of their son in January.

Adichie said her feelings towards Nigeria have changed since the tragedy, adding that she currently does not want to return to the country.

“My feelings toward Nigeria have changed. I do not want to go back to Nigeria. I have not been back to the country in six months,” she said.

The author recalled that her family had traditionally spent Christmas, Easter and summer holidays in Nigeria. She said her daughter recently told her, “Mama, Nigeria is my happy place,” adding that her daughter remains the one who wants to return.

According to the couple, Nkanu had been unwell during the Christmas holidays with what initially appeared to be a cold. His condition, however, failed to improve by New Year’s Day.

The 21 month old boy later underwent a brain MRI in Lagos and died shortly afterwards, leaving his parents struggling to understand how his condition deteriorated so suddenly.

Adichie and Esege have since called for a coroner’s inquest into their son’s death. They said they hope the process can provide answers and potentially help prevent other families from experiencing similar situations within Nigeria’s healthcare system.

The tragedy has also affected the family’s surviving children. When asked what Nkanu’s twin brother understood about the death, Adichie shook her head and revealed that he continues to say, “His brother is in Lagos.”

For Adichie, the loss has therefore become more than a personal tragedy. It has also reshaped her emotional connection to a country that had previously been a central part of her family’s life.

The family’s call for an inquest is expected to draw further attention to questions surrounding the circumstances of Nkanu’s death and the experiences of patients and families navigating Nigeria’s healthcare system.