Renowned Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has initiated legal proceedings against Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital in Lagos, citing alleged medical negligence following the death of her 21-month-old son, Nkanu Nnamdi Esege. The case has drawn national attention and prompted a formal probe by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, raising broader questions about patient safety and standards in private healthcare facilities in Nigeria.

The legal notice, dated January 10, 2026, and issued by the law firm led by Professor Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, details allegations against the hospital, its anesthesiologist, and attending medical staff. According to the family, the tragic death occurred just one day after the child had been referred to Euracare for preparatory diagnostic procedures ahead of a planned medical evacuation to the United States.

Allegations of negligence

In the legal documents, Adichie and her partner, Dr. Ivara Esege, claim that the child was administered intravenous sedation using propofol. Complications reportedly arose during the transfer from the MRI suite to the cardiac catheterisation laboratory. The notice asserts that the transfer occurred under conditions that raised “serious and substantive concerns” regarding compliance with patient-safety protocols.

The parents allege that the child was moved without supplemental oxygen, without continuous physiological monitoring, and with insufficient medical staff present, despite being under deep sedation. Additional points in the notice include concerns about cumulative propofol dosing in a critically ill infant, inadequate airway protection, delayed recognition of respiratory or cardiovascular compromise, and the absence of essential resuscitation equipment.

The family also claims that the hospital failed to fully inform them of the risks associated with propofol, undermining their ability to provide informed consent for the procedures.

Legal demands and evidence preservation

As part of their demands, the family has requested certified copies of all medical records related to their son’s care within seven days. This includes admission notes, consent forms, anaesthetic charts, drug administration logs, ICU records, and incident reports, along with the names of all staff involved in the child’s treatment.

Euracare has also been instructed to preserve all evidence, including CCTV footage, electronic monitoring data, pharmacy records, and internal communications. The legal notice warns that destruction or tampering with this evidence could constitute obstruction of justice and result in legal consequences.

Case context and prior care

The child, born on March 25, 2024, was referred from Atlantis Pediatric Hospital to Euracare on January 6, 2026, for a series of preparatory procedures, including an echocardiogram, brain MRI, PICC line insertion, and lumbar puncture. He reportedly died in the early hours of January 7, 2026 following complications that arose during and after these interventions.

Dr. Anthea Esege Nwandu, the child’s aunt and a dual board-certified Internal Medicine physician, has publicly challenged Euracare’s statement denying negligence. She cited multiple inconsistencies in the hospital’s account and emphasized that international standards of care—such as continuous oxygen therapy, monitoring, and transfer with resuscitation equipment—were not adhered to.

Public concern over healthcare standards

The case has reignited public debate over medical standards in Lagos and across Nigeria. This is not the first instance where allegations of negligence in private hospitals have drawn national scrutiny. In 2022, for example, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) investigated the death of Big Brother Naija star Patrick Fakoya, known as Rico Swavey, following claims of medical negligence.

At the time, Babatunde Irukera, Director-General of the FCCPC, condemned the viral videos recorded by medical staff instead of prioritizing patient care, calling it a violation of medical standards, patient dignity, and confidentiality. Similarly, the Lagos State Government intervened to examine potential culpable negligence and dereliction of duty in the case.

Analysts note that such high-profile cases put additional pressure on private hospitals to comply with international patient safety standards. The Adichie case could influence regulatory oversight, staff training, and monitoring mechanisms across Nigeria’s healthcare system.

Implications for private healthcare in Nigeria

Legal observers suggest that this lawsuit may have far-reaching implications beyond the immediate family. The case could compel hospitals to review protocols for sedation, intra-hospital transfers, and informed consent, especially for critically ill pediatric patients. Experts also note the importance of rapid and transparent reporting mechanisms when adverse outcomes occur, to maintain public trust in private medical institutions.

Healthcare policy analyst Dr. Amina Yusuf commented that high-profile legal actions such as this could serve as a catalyst for systemic reforms. “When private hospitals face accountability for lapses, it can create a ripple effect,” she said. “Families become more aware of their rights, and institutions are more likely to adhere strictly to safety standards.”

The immediate focus will be on the hospital’s response to the legal notice and compliance with requests for records and evidence preservation. The Lagos State Government’s investigation will also be closely monitored, as it may set the tone for regulatory oversight in similar cases.

Experts will likely pay attention to whether Euracare implements corrective measures, including updated staff protocols, additional monitoring equipment, and training programs, particularly for pediatric and anesthesiology teams.

Visual and data ideas

To support reporting on this story, media outlets could include an infographic of proper pediatric sedation and transfer protocols, a timeline of the child’s referral and treatment, and data on reported medical negligence cases in Lagos private hospitals over the past five years. Photographs or diagrams illustrating safe PICC line and MRI procedures could provide context for readers unfamiliar with hospital processes.

The lawsuit filed by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Dr. Ivara Esege against Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital underscores serious concerns about pediatric patient safety in Nigeria. As legal proceedings unfold and Lagos State authorities investigate, the case highlights the need for stricter adherence to international medical standards, effective oversight, and transparency in private healthcare facilities. Its outcome could influence not only hospital practices but also public confidence in Nigeria’s medical system.