Renowned Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and her husband, Dr. Ivara Esege, are grieving the death of their 21-month-old twin son, Nkanu Nnamdi Esege, who passed away on January 7, 2026, after a brief illness.
In a statement, the family appealed for privacy and understanding during the period of mourning, thanking the public for their support and prayers as they grieve in private.
Nkanu Nnamdi was one of the couple’s twin sons, born in 2024. Adichie had publicly shared news of the twins’ birth while promoting her latest work of fiction, Dream Count.
Adichie is celebrated globally for her award-winning novels, including Americanah and Half of a Yellow Sun.
News of the toddler’s passing has drawn widespread condolences from writers, scholars, and admirers across Africa, Europe, and North America, many of whom have expressed solidarity with the family in their moment of loss.
