Prince Harry and Meghan Markle recently concluded a three-day tour of Nigeria, a country grappling with significant global challenges.
During their visit, the couple engaged in various activities, including playing polo, taking selfies with schoolchildren, and participating in chair volleyball in Abuja. Reports suggest that the couple, often criticized for their extravagant lifestyle, may have requested that the government cover their security expenses.
The decision to visit Nigeria raised eyebrows given their environmental advocacy, as the country has a history of severe deforestation and environmental issues. In 2005, Nigeria had the highest rate of deforestation globally, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Additionally, in 2010, thousands of people were exposed to lead poisoning from informal gold mining in Zamfara, resulting in hundreds of fatalities and making it one of the largest lead poisoning outbreaks in history.
Despite these concerns, Meghan and Harry received a royal-like reception during their visit, which included attending a reception hosted by the Nigerian military's Chief of Defense and meeting with officials from the World Health Organization (WHO). There were rumors that Meghan directed a WHO official on where to stand in a group photo, although this remains unconfirmed. The tour was heavily criticized on Talk TV by royal pundit Alex Phillips and Antonia Inor Rabo, Secretary General of the National Youth Alliance in Nigeria, who highlighted the perceived extravagance and disconnect of the couple's visit amidst Nigeria's ongoing challenges.
Phillips described the visit as an effort to drum up support and generate content for their next Netflix project, referring to it as a "quasi-royal tour of Nigeria." She noted that Meghan had previously done a genealogy test and discovered she was 43% Nigerian, questioning the timing and motives behind the visit. Phillips called the trip a "huge PR exercise" for the couple as they try to regain popularity. She also asked Inor Rabo how Nigerian citizens felt about the visit, pointing out the images of beaming smiles, red carpets, dancing, and hugging that circulated online. Despite the warm reception at events, Phillips remarked that Meghan is not officially allowed to call herself a princess.
Inor Rabo responded, expressing that many Nigerians felt disappointed, abandoned, and betrayed by their government, which seems to prioritize media publicity over addressing the country's cruel challenges. He emphasized that while Nigerians might not have an issue with the ex-royal couple personally, they are frustrated with the government's misplaced priorities. "We can't go on like this," he said. "We can't continue to allow our government to put up nice fancy shows for the international community while we are hungry, starving, and people lose their jobs every day."
In summary, the visit by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to Nigeria was met with mixed reactions. While they were warmly received by some, others criticized the visit as a superficial PR exercise, highlighting the disconnect between their glamorous portrayal and the harsh realities faced by many Nigerians. The criticisms also underscored broader issues with the Nigerian government's handling of its citizens' needs and priorities.
