“I Do Not Want To Go Back To Nigeria” – Chimamanda Adichie Reveals How Son’s Death Changed Her Feelings

• Award-winning Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has revealed that the death of her 21-month-old son, Nkanu, has changed her feelings towards Nigeria.
• In a recent New York Times interview, she said she no longer wants to return to the country, which she had previously remained deeply connected to.

Award-winning Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has revealed that she no longer wants to return to Nigeria following the death of her 21-month-old son, Nkanu.

Adichie made the disclosure in a recent interview with The New York Times, where she reflected on her grief and how the circumstances surrounding her son’s death changed her relationship with Nigeria.

Nkanu, one of her twin sons, died in January 2026 following a medical emergency in Lagos.

Asked about her feelings towards Nigeria, Adichie said, “My feelings toward Nigeria have changed.” She later added, “I do not want to go back to Nigeria.”

The author and her family had regularly spent time in Nigeria, and she has previously spoken about the country’s importance to her life and writing career. However, she said the loss of her son has made returning difficult.

Despite this, Adichie said Nigeria remains important to her children, with her daughter still referring to the country as her “happy place.”

The circumstances surrounding Nkanu’s death have also led to an ongoing coroner’s inquest as the family continues to seek answers over what happened during his medical treatment.

Her comments have sparked mixed reactions online.

@Chimezic: What do you expect from a country where the politicians who are supposed to fix the healthcare system go for medical checkups abroad

@inkflowd5n: The best of us are mostly cowards or the nothing concern me at far as my family & I are living in a working system while the worst of us are devils, Nigeria is an unfortunate mother.

@DiamondBobmac: I wish her healing, sometimes is not easy to bear the loss of a child.💔

@BlackDi10129190: Same people when such happen in USA wia she reside they say it Gods willing

@Public3nemyno1: Until you experience the unfortunate consequences of being in Nigeria where there’s little value for human life, you wouldn’t understand.
We’re basically in survival mode 24/7.

@theiphanyi: I understand her.

@picazzolive: Wetin kpai and where her child kpai?

@CyberpunkSeraph: She’s very stupid.

@ConceiveXCreate: Shebi dey talk say this woman write Donald Trump one time like that – shey Trump never reply ni.

@Estherfide61: It Is well.

@barnes_JB12: Infants dont die in the US i guess, toxic woman. Move along

@GrahamIngokho: serious