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 together, taking selfies with school children, and participating in chair volleyball in Abuja. Reports suggest that the couple, often criticized for their extravagant lifestyle, may have requested that the Nigerian 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, 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, including attending a reception hosted by Nigeria's Chief of Defense and meeting with WHO official, Dr. Onono Eia. There were rumors that Meghan directed Dr. Eia on where to stand in a group photo, although this remains unconfirmed.
The tour was heavily criticized on TalkTV by royal pundit Alex Phillips and Antonia Inorabo, 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 argued that the visit was primarily an effort to drum up support and create content for their next Netflix project. She pointed out that Meghan had recently taken a genealogy test revealing she was 43% Nigerian, suggesting the trip was a PR exercise to regain popularity.
Phillips questioned how Nigerian citizens felt about the visit, noting the smiling photographs and videos of the couple receiving red carpet treatment, dancing, and hugging locals. She noted they were even welcomed at one event as the prince and princess, although Meghan is not allowed to use the title of princess.
Inorabo expressed the frustration of many Nigerians, stating that while the ex-royal couple might not be the primary issue, the government's focus on hosting them was problematic. He highlighted that many Nigerians go to bed hungry and feel abandoned and betrayed by their government. Inorabo criticized the government's priorities, stating, "We can't continue to allow our government to put up nice fancy shows for the international community while we're hungry and people lose their jobs every day."
Alex Phillips and Inorabo agreed that the Nigerian people are facing severe economic and humanitarian problems, and the government's efforts to entertain international celebrities are misaligned with the country's pressing needs. They emphasized that the visit showcased a wealthy, privileged couple from California in a country struggling with significant challenges, underscoring the disconnect between the spectacle of the visit and the reality on the ground for many Nigerians.
