A dignified, somber portrait of acclaimed author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, who has recently suffered a profound family loss.

Acclaimed Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and her husband, medical doctor Ivara Esege, are navigating a profound personal tragedy. The family has announced the devastating loss of one of their twin sons, Nkanu Nnamdi.

According to a statement released on Thursday by family representative Omawumi Ogbe, the 21-month-old child passed away on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, following a brief illness.

“The family is devastated by this profound loss,” the statement read, confirming the heartbreaking news. It further conveyed the family’s request for complete privacy as they grieve. 

“We ask for your grace and prayers as they mourn in private. No further statements will be made.”

Chimamanda Adichie, a globally celebrated writer known for novels like Half of a Yellow Sun and Americanah, as well as her powerful TED talk “We Should All Be Feminists,” is typically a public figure. 

However, the family has emphasized their need for seclusion during this period of immense grief, a request that has been met with an outpouring of respect and sympathy from fans and the public alike.

The statement concluded with appreciation for the understanding shown, thanking the media and the public for honoring their privacy.