Renowned author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and her husband, Dr. Ivara Esege, have lost one of their twin sons, Nkanu Nnamdi.
The 21-month-old passed away on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, after a brief illness.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the family expressed their devastation and requested privacy during their mourning.
“We ask for your grace and prayers as they mourn in private. No further statements will be made, and we thank the public and media for respecting their need for seclusion during this period of immense grief,” the statement read.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar condoled with the family.
In a personal statement, President Tinubu said, “As a parent myself who has suffered the loss of a loved one, no grief is as devastating as losing a child. I empathise with the family at this difficult time. I pray Chimamanda and her family find strength in the Almighty.”
Atiku Abubakar, in a social media message, wrote: “My heart goes out to Chimamanda Adichie and Dr. Ivara Esege on the loss of their son. There can be no loss like the loss of a child.”
DAILY TRUST.
