Renowned author Chimamanda Adichie mourns loss of 21-month-old son

Renowned Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and her husband, Dr. Ivara Esege, are grieving the loss of one of their twin sons, Nkanu Nnamdi.

According to a statement issued on Thursday by Omawumi Ogbe on behalf of the family, the 21-month-old passed away on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, following a brief illness.

The statement described the family as “devastated by this profound loss” and requested privacy during this difficult period.

It reads in part: “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 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. No further statements will be made, and we thank the public and the media for respecting their need for seclusion during this period of immense grief.”

The tragic loss has drawn an outpouring of sympathy from fans and the literary community, as many join the family in mourning the young child.