Nkanu Nnamdi, one of the twin boys of renowned author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and her spouse Ivara Esege, is no more.
The Communications Team for Adichie confirmed the death on Wednesday in a statement that was shared exclusively with The Guardian and signed by Omawumi Ogbe.
Nkanu passed away on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, following a brief illness, according to the statement. His age was twenty-one months.
The family called the loss “devastating” and requested that the public and media maintain their privacy during what they characterised as an extremely trying period.
They also requested prayers and understanding as they mourn in private, adding that no further statements would be made.
The statement ended by thanking members of the public and the media for respecting the family’s need for seclusion during the period of grief.
ALSO READ:Â Shocking! Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Says A Surrogate Birthed Her Twins
In May 2025, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie revealed a surrogate mum birthed her twins, born in 2024.
The 47-year-old spoke about her reasons during a recent panel hosted by media personality Chude Jideonwo, saying it was important to speak the truth and challenge the stigma surrounding fertility.
There are certain things that you cannot hide. You cannot hide the existence of two perfect beings. People just went off with this thing about me, ‘She’s 47 and she had babies,’ and I don’t like to lie about things that can be consequential for other people. I felt as though there’d be other women who would then be pressured and be told, ‘Look, she’s 47 and she has twins; what about you?
The celebrated novelist emphasised that while she is typically private. This disclosure was necessary to counter the pressure society places on women. She did not want to run the risk of potentially being used as a tool of oppression to other women who may be struggling
