Sh*cking Revelation: ‘My Nephew’s Oxygen Was Disconnected’ — Aunt Speaks On Chimamanda Adichie’s Son’s Death

Dr Anthea Esege Nwandu, the aunt of 21-month-old Nkanu Nnamdi Esege—the son of acclaimed Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and her husband, Dr Ivara Esege—has disputed the account released by Euracare Multispecialist Hospital concerning the child’s death.

Dr Nwandu, a U.S.-based medical doctor, said the hospital’s statement contained inaccuracies and insisted that the care her nephew received fell short of internationally recognised medical standards.

Euracare, in a statement issued on January 10, expressed condolences to the family but maintained that several reports surrounding the incident were incorrect. The hospital stated that the child had been treated at two paediatric facilities before being referred to its Victoria Island centre for diagnostic procedures, and that its medical team adhered to standard clinical protocols.

However, Dr Nwandu refuted this, saying her nephew had only been treated at one hospital prior to his transfer to Euracare.

She also raised concerns over the sedation process, explaining that accepted medical practice requires continuous monitoring of oxygen saturation, heart rate, and respiration—measures she said were not adequately provided.

According to her, the anaesthesiologist transported the sedated child alone in an elevator while carrying him on his shoulder, without any monitoring equipment attached.

Dr Nwandu further alleged that the child was later moved to intensive care with his oxygen supply disconnected and left unmonitored, describing the situation as unsafe and inconsistent with standard medical care.

She added that the child had been clinically stable before arriving at Euracare and was already scheduled for medical evacuation to Johns Hopkins Hospital in the United States, where a specialist medical team was prepared to receive him.

Dr Nwandu is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Lifestyle Medicine, a Fellow of the American College of Physicians, and holds a Master of Public Health degree from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.