Renowned Nigerian author, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, and her husband, Dr. Ivara Esege, have reportedly lost one of their twin sons, Nkanu Nnamdi.
The sad development was confirmed on Wednesday in a statement issued by Adichie’s Communications Team, signed by Omawumi Ogbe and shared with The Guardian.
According to the statement, Nkanu died on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, after a brief illness. He was 21 months old.
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The family described the loss as devastating and appealed to the public and the media to respect their privacy as they grieve. They also asked for prayers and understanding, noting that no further statements would be made.
The statement concluded by thanking the public and the media for honouring the family’s request for privacy during this difficult time.
Recall that Adichie, 47, had revealed in an interview with The Guardian UK that she welcomed the twins in April 2024.