President Bola Tinubu and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on Thursday expressed sorrow over the death of Nkanu Nnamdi, son of renowned author Chimamanda Adichie and her husband, Dr Ivara Esege.

Adichie and her husband, in a statement issued on Thursday by Omawumi Ogbe, on behalf of the family, said the 21-month-old baby died on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, after a brief illness.

The statement said the family was devastated by the loss and requested that their privacy be respected during the difficult time.

In a personal statement issued on Thursday, Tinubu described the loss as devastating, drawing from his experience of losing a loved one.

He empathised with the family during this difficult period and mourned the sad loss alongside them.

“My prayers are with the family,” he added.

Atiku, in a statement issued by his spokesman, Paul Ibe, on Thursday, commiserated with the family over the loss of their child.

“My heart goes out to Chimamanda Adichie, @ChimamandaReal, and her husband, Dr Ivara Esege, on the loss of their son. There can be no loss like the loss of a child.

“My thoughts and prayers are with the Esage and Adichie families and all of their friends. May God grant them strength, peace, and solace as they mourn this painful loss,” the statement read.

(Punch)