The family of renowned Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has revealed tragic news.

The BBC reports that Nkanu Nnamdi, one of the award-winning novelist’s one-year-old twin sons, died on January 7th following a brief illness.

On Thursday, January 8, Adichie’s communications team issued an official statement confirming the tragic development.

“We’re deeply saddened to confirm the passing of one of Ms Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Dr Ivara Esege’s twin boys, Nkanu Nnamdi, who passed on Wednesday,” the statement read.

The family described the loss as devastating and appealed to the public for privacy during this extremely difficult period.

“The family is devastated by this profound loss, and we request that their privacy be respected during this incredibly difficult time. We ask for your grace and prayers as they mourn in private,” the statement added.

They also made it clear that no further statements would be issued.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and her husband, Dr Ivara Esege, got married in 2009. The couple welcomed their first child, a daughter, in 2016. In 2024, they became parents again after welcoming twin boys via surrogate.

Chimamanda remains one of Nigeria’s most globally respected literary voices, known for her work on identity, love, feminism, war, and post-colonial African experiences.