One of Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s toddler twins has died, her family has confirmed. An official family statement said that 21-month-old boy Nkanu Nnamdi, who the novelist had with her husband Dr Ivara Esege, died on Wednesday after a brief illness
Key details regarding the tragic event include:
- Circumstances: Nkanu Nnamdi died after a brief illness. He was one of the couple’s twin sons born in 2024.
- Official Statement: A family statement issued on January 8, 2026, by communications representative Omawumi Ogbe confirmed the loss, describing the family as “devastated by this profound loss” and requesting privacy during their time of grief.
- Condolences: Nigerian President Bola Tinubu expressed his condolences to the family, stating that “no grief is as devastating as losing a child”.
- Family Life: Adichie, 48, has traditionally kept her private life out of the public eye. She previously welcomed a daughter in 2016 and announced the birth of her twin sons in 2024 while promoting her work Dream Count.
