Council Suspends Medical Director, 2 Doctors Over Death Of Chimamanda’s Son

The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) has suspended the Medical Director of Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital, Dr. Tunde Majekodunmi, along with two other doctors, after finding a prima facie case of medical negligence in the care of 21-month-old Nkanu Adichie-Esege.

Nkanu, son of renowned Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Dr. Ivara Esege, passed away on January 7, 2026, following treatment at Atlantis Hospital and subsequent procedures at Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital in Lagos.

In a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by the panel’s Secretary, Dr. Enejo Abdu, the suspended doctors include Euracare’s anesthesiologist, Dr. Titus Ogundare, and the Chief Medical Officer of Atlantis Pediatric Hospital, Dr. Atinuke Uwajeh. The trio is barred from practicing medicine in Nigeria pending the outcome of their case before the Medical and Dental Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal.

According to case details, Nkanu was first admitted to Atlantis Hospital for a mild but worsening illness. Plans were in motion to transfer him to Johns Hopkins Hospital in the United States for specialist care. In the meantime, Atlantis referred him to Euracare for pre-flight diagnostic procedures, which included an echocardiogram, brain MRI, lumbar puncture, insertion of a peripherally inserted central catheter, and intravenous sedation with propofol.

The child reportedly developed sudden and severe complications during transport to the cardiac catheterization laboratory after the MRI and later died.

In a legal notice dated January 10, 2026, the child’s parents, through a law firm led by Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), accused Euracare, its anesthesiologist, and other attending medical staff of breaching their duty of care, alleging medical negligence and professional misconduct in connection with Nkanu’s death.