Fareedah Ogundairo
The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria has suspended the Medical Director of Euracare Multispecialist Hospital, Dr Tunde Majekodunmi, alongside two other physicians, over the death of Nkanu Adichie-Esege, son of acclaimed novelist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.
The council’s investigative panel said it established a prima facie case of medical negligence in the handling of the child’s care, leading to the suspension of Majekodunmi; Dr Titus Ogundare, an anaesthesiologist; and Dr Atinuke Uwajeg, Chief Medical Officer of Atlantis Hospital.
Nkanu, one of Adichie’s twins, reportedly died on January 7, 2026, following complications arising from a series of preparatory medical procedures.
The bereaved mother had issued a legal notice to the hospital, alleging medical negligence and professional misconduct in the management of her son’s case a move that prompted the constitution of a panel by the council to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death.
At the end of its 25th session held in Abuja on February 17 and 18, the panel concluded that there was sufficient evidence to warrant disciplinary proceedings against the affected doctors.
The suspended practitioners are barred from practising medicine in Nigeria pending the determination of their cases before the Medical and Dental Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal.
Secretary of the panel, Dr Enejo Abdu, disclosed that beyond the three suspended doctors, 10 other physicians affiliated with Atlantis Hospital were found to have questions to answer over alleged professional misconduct.
Those listed include Dr Adeseye Akinsete, Dr Chidinma Ohagwu, Dr Anthony Ajeh, Dr Amarachi Bayo, Dr Nkechi Peji, Dr Olaoye Oludare, Dr Agaja Oyinkansola, Dr Patricia Akintan, Dr Babatunde Bamgboye and Dr Raji Faidat.
However, eight other doctors were cleared after the panel reviewed complaints filed against 21 practitioners, along with their written submissions and sworn oral testimonies.
The council stressed that its findings remain preliminary and do not amount to a final verdict, noting that the accused doctors would be afforded full hearings before the tribunal, which will determine their culpability or otherwise.
Meanwhile, a coroner’s inquest into the circumstances surrounding Nkanu’s death is scheduled to commence on April 14.
The development has sparked renewed public scrutiny of medical standards and regulatory oversight within Nigeria’s private health sector, particularly in high-profile cases involving allegations of negligence.
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