“She’s Hurting And Not Coping” — Chimamanda Adichie’s Sister-In-Law Opens Up About Her Grief

The family of internationally acclaimed author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has announced the death of her young son, Nkanu Nnamdi, who passed away earlier this month at a private hospital in Lagos after a short illness.

The death, which occurred recently in Lagos, has plunged the family into deep mourning and renewed concerns about accountability and compassion within the country’s healthcare system. Speaking to BBC News Africa on Sunday, January 25, 2026, Nkanu’s aunt, Dr Anthea Nwandu, described the profound grief the family has been experiencing since the loss of the child.

She said the pain of losing Nkanu was overwhelming and compounded by challenges that emerged in the aftermath of his death. “It’s almost unbearable. It is unbearable. So in the midst of this grief, and this loss, and this pain, this deep physical and emotional pain, we’re having to deal with adversarial press statements, lack of accountability, and a lack of compassion,” Nwandu said.

She questioned the state of care within medical institutions. “What happened to compassion in medical care?” she asked. Describing the emotional toll of the loss, she added, “The pain is unreal. It’s searing.”

During the interview, Nwandu was asked how Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie was coping with the loss of her son. Her response reflected the depth of the tragedy.

“She’s hurting. She’s not coping. She’s not. She’s not coping,” she said. She explained that the loss was made even more painful by the fact that Nkanu was a twin. “As you know, Nkanu is a twin. So where is his twin brother?” she asked.

According to her, Nkanu’s absence has created a constant emotional void within the family home. “It’s a constant reminder, every single day, every moment,” she stated. She further described the impact on Nkanu’s twin brother, who continues to search for him.

“His little brother is asking for him, calls out his name, Kankan. It’s just devastating,” Nwandu said.

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Source:Chimamanda Adichie| X

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