Lagos orders probe into alleged medical negligence on death of Chimamanda Adichie's son

The Lagos State Government has expressed deep sympathy to author, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, over the death of her son, Nkanu, and ordered a full investigation into allegations of medical negligence linked to the incident.

In a statement, signed by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi, the Ministry of Health said it was aware of Adichie’s public account of the events surrounding her son’s death, which reportedly followed a medical procedure at a private healthcare facility in Lagos on January 6.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu conveyed condolences on behalf of the state and its residents, describing the loss as devastating.

The government assured the family of its commitment to justice and reiterated its zero-tolerance policy for negligence in the health sector.

Immediate steps include directing the Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA) to begin an independent and transparent investigation.

The agency has already visited the facility and started a detailed review of the case.

HEFAMAA will examine all allegations—including adherence to protocols, professional conduct, and patient safety—while collaborating with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria and other regulatory bodies.

The findings will be made public once concluded. The government warned that any individual or institution found guilty would be sanctioned according to the law.

Residents were urged to remain calm and avoid speculation while the investigation is underway.

The state reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening medical oversight to prevent similar incidents.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled: Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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