Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Loses 21-Month-Old Son

The tragic news was confirmed in a statement released on Thursday by the author’s representative, Omawumi Ogbe. In the statement, the family expressed deep sorrow over the loss and appealed to the public and the media to respect their privacy during what they described as an “incredibly difficult time.”

“We’re deeply saddened to confirm the passing of one of Ms Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Dr Ivara Esege’s twin boys, Nkanu Nnamdi, who passed on Wednesday, 7th of January 2026, after a brief illness. He was 21 months old,” the statement read.

“The family is devastated by this profound loss, and we request that their privacy be respected during this incredibly difficult time. We ask for your grace and prayers as they mourn in private.”

The statement further noted that no additional comments would be made, adding, “We thank the public and the media for respecting their need for seclusion during this period of immense grief.”

Adichie, 48, is one of Nigeria’s most celebrated literary figures, known globally for works such as Half of a Yellow Sun, Americanah, and Purple Hibiscus. Beyond her literary achievements, she has become an influential voice on feminism, identity, and culture, earning numerous international accolades and honorary degrees.

She married Dr Ivara Esege, a Nigerian physician, in 2009. Before the death of Nkanu Nnamdi, the couple had three children: a daughter born in 2016 and twin boys born in 2024. The author has consistently kept her family life largely out of the public eye, choosing to maintain clear boundaries between her personal world and her public career.

That decision was one Adichie spoke openly about in a 2025 interview with The Guardian, where she explained why she had kept the birth of her twin sons private for some time. According to her, the choice was rooted in a desire to protect her children from public scrutiny.

“I want to protect my children,” she said during the interview. “I’m okay with having them mentioned, but I don’t want the piece to become about them.”

Adichie also addressed the intense public interest that often surrounds the personal lives of public figures in Nigeria, describing it as overwhelming and intrusive. “So, here is the thing, Nigerians are sosy. They want to know about your personal life. Because of that, I am resistant. I very rarely talk about it,” she added.

The news of Nkanu’s passing has been met with an outpouring of sympathy from readers, admirers, and members of the literary and creative community, many of whom have expressed their condolences while echoing the family’s request for privacy.

While Adichie’s work has often explored themes of loss, resilience, and the complexities of human experience, this moment represents a deeply personal tragedy for the writer and her family. As they grieve the loss of their young son, the family has asked for space to mourn away from public attention.

At this time, no further details surrounding the child’s illness or death have been disclosed. The family has reiterated its wish to grieve in private, supported by prayers and goodwill from the public.