Acclaimed Nigerian writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has said she no longer wants to return to Nigeria following the death of her 21-month-old son, Nkanu, in January 2026.

Adichie made the remarks in an interview with The New York Times published on September 10, reflecting on the loss of her son and how it has changed her relationship with Nigeria. “My feelings toward Nigeria have changed,” she said, adding, “I do not want to go back to Nigeria.”

Nkanu Nnamdi Esege, one of Adichie’s twin sons with her husband, physician Ivara Esege, died on January 7, 2026, after becoming ill while the family was in Lagos. His condition worsened after an initial illness, prompting the family to seek further medical attention.

According to the New York Times account, Nkanu was later taken to Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital in Lagos for an MRI as the family sought to determine the cause of his illness. He was sedated with propofol for the procedure. Adichie said a doctor later told her that her son had been given too much propofol. Nkanu subsequently suffered cardiac arrest and died within 24 hours.

Adichie and her husband have raised allegations of medical negligence over the circumstances surrounding their son’s treatment. The case has since gone through proceedings before the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria and a coroner’s inquest into Nkanu’s death. The legal proceedings remain unresolved.

For Adichie, the circumstances surrounding her son’s death have altered the meaning of Nigeria as a place she once considered home. She and her family had maintained a strong connection to the country, including regular visits with their children.

Despite her reluctance to return, Adichie acknowledged that her surviving children remain connected to Nigeria. Her daughter, in particular, continues to regard the country fondly, leaving open the possibility that the family could return in the future.

The writer also spoke about the difficulty of accepting her son’s death, describing the experience of grieving while still struggling to comprehend that she had lost her child.