Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has revealed that the death of her 21-month-old son, Nkanu, has profoundly changed how she feels about Nigeria.

Speaking in an interview with The New York Times, Adichie was asked if Nigeria still felt close to her heart. She responded, “My feelings toward Nigeria have changed,” before adding, “I do not want to go back to Nigeria.”

Nkanu, one of her twin boys, died in December 2025 following a medical emergency at Euracare in Nigeria. Adichie said the child initially developed a fever and was placed on antibiotics by her husband, Ivara Esege, but was later taken to hospital when his condition did not improve.

She said Nkanu was sedated with propofol during an MRI and subsequently suffered cardiac arrest, dying the following day. Recalling the moment, Adichie said a doctor approached her after the procedure and told her, “Well, look, they gave him too much Propofol.” She added, “Those were his exact words, which I will never forget until the day I d+e.”

Adichie had previously raised allegations of medical negligence over her son’s treatment. The circumstances surrounding his death are now the subject of a coroner’s inquest, amid disagreements between the family and the hospital.

She said her children could be the only reason she might return to Nigeria, noting that her daughter still considers the country her “happy place”.

Reflecting on her grief, Adichie said, “I mean, it is so surreal, all of this. I still can’t believe we’re talking about my son who died,” adding, “You’re going through something, but you also feel like you’re outside of it.”