Chimamanda Breaks Silence: My Feelings Toward Nigeria Have Changed

Renowned Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has revealed that the death of her 21-month-old son, Nkanu, has significantly changed the way she feels about Nigeria.

According to Bush Radio Academy, Adichie made the disclosure during an interview with The New York Times, where she spoke about the devastating loss of her son and its emotional impact on her relationship with her home country.

When asked whether Nigeria still remained a place close to her heart, the award-winning author gave a direct response, saying her feelings had changed and that she currently did not want to return to the country.

Adichie said the loss of her son had altered the emotional connection she previously had with Nigeria. She explained that before the tragedy, the country was deeply intertwined with her identity and her development as a writer.

The author described Nigeria as the place where she received many of the experiences and influences that ultimately shaped her writing career. However, she said the circumstances surrounding her son’s death had profoundly changed that relationship.

Nkanu, one of Adichie’s twin sons, died in December 2025 following what was reported as a medical emergency at Euracare in Nigeria. In recounting the events surrounding his treatment, Adichie recalled a doctor approaching her after a procedure and telling her that her son had allegedly been given too much Propofol.

She said the doctor’s words remained permanently etched in her memory.

In June, Adichie publicly raised allegations of medical negligence concerning the treatment her son received at the hospital.

Speaking about whether she might eventually return to Nigeria, the author said her children could be a major factor in such a decision. She noted that her daughter still considers Nigeria her “happy place,” despite the profound pain the country now represents for her.

Adichie also described the emotional reality of losing a child, saying the experience felt surreal and difficult to fully comprehend. She explained that while going through the tragedy, she sometimes felt as though she was observing the situation from outside herself.

The author’s comments highlight the profound personal impact of her son’s death and how the tragedy has reshaped her emotional connection to a country that had previously played a central role in her life and creative identity.