Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Loses One of Her Twin Sons at 21 Months

Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and her husband, Dr. Ivara Esege, are mourning the heartbreaking loss of one of their twin sons, 21-month-old Nkanu Nnamdi.

According to a statement issued on Thursday by Omawumi Ogbe, on behalf of the family, the 21-month-old baby passed away on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, after a brief illness.

The statement reads, “We’re deeply saddened to confirm the passing of one of Ms Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Dr Ivara Esege’s twin boys, Nkanu Nnamdi, who passed on Wednesday, 7th of January 2026, after a brief illness. He was 21 months old.”

“We ask for your grace and prayers as they mourn in private.

“No further statements will be made, and we thank the public and the media for respecting their need for seclusion during this period of immense grief,” the statement read.

Ms Adichie is known for works including Half of a Yellow Sun, Americanah and her 2012 Ted Talk and essay We Should All Be Feminists, which was sampled by Beyoncé on her 2013 song Flawless.

The 48 year old writer had her first child, a daughter, in 2016. In 2024, her twin boys were born using a surrogate.

The family has requested privacy as they grieve, with no further statements expected.

See also:

Second Attack in One Week: Bandits Abduct 177 Worshippers in Southern Kaduna

NELFUND MD Akintunde Sawyer Reports ₦174bn Loan Distribution to Over 800,000 Students

Former Zenith Bank Associate Testifies on Emefiele’s Alleged ₦1.6 Billion Disbursement

Kaduna Abduction: CAN Faults Security Agencies’ Public Response

Lekki–Epe Repairs Begin Sunday: Lagos Unveils Diversions, Counterflow Plans