Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, one of Nigeria’s most popular novelists and her husband, Ivara Esege, are mourning the loss of one of their twin sons, Nkanu Nnamdi. The boy, who was about 21 months old, passed away on Wednesday, 7 January 2026 after a short illness, a family statement revealed.
In a statement released on Thursday by Omawumi Ogbe on behalf of the family and quoted by Punch, it was confirmed that the 21-month-old infant passed away on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, after a brief illness.
“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,” Punch quoted the statement as saying.
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Chimamanda Adichie is one of Africa’s most famous authors, known for books such as Half of a Yellow Sun and Americanah. She and her husband had welcomed the twins in 2024. The family had largely kept their private life out of the public eye.
Friends, fellow writers and admirers have shared messages of sympathy and support for the family as they grieve. Many described the loss as heartbreaking for such a private and celebrated figure.
No further details about the illness or exact circumstances of the child’s death have been released yet, and the family has kept further comments private.
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