Prince Harry and Meghan Markle concluded a three-day visit to Nigeria, a nation grappling with significant global challenges.
During their stay, the couple participated in a variety of activities, including playing polo, taking selfies with school children, and joining a chair volleyball game in Abuja. Reports indicate that the couple, often criticized for their extravagant lifestyle, might have requested the government to cover their security expenses.
Their decision to visit Nigeria attracted scrutiny due to their environmental advocacy, as the country has a history of severe deforestation and environmental issues. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Nigeria had the highest deforestation rate globally in 2005. Furthermore, in 2010, thousands were exposed to lead poisoning from informal gold mining in Zamfara, resulting in hundreds of deaths, marking one of the largest lead poisoning outbreaks in history.
Despite these concerns, Meghan and Harry received a royal-like reception, which included attending a reception hosted by Nigeria's Chief of Defense and meeting with WHO official, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu. There were unconfirmed rumors that Meghan directed Dr. Ihekweazu on where to stand in a group photo. The tour was heavily criticized on TalkTV by royal pundit Alex Phillips and Antonia Inno, 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 remarked that the visit seemed like an effort to garner support and content for their next Netflix project. She noted that Meghan had taken a genealogy test and now claims to be 43% Nigerian, questioning the timing of the visit. Phillips called the trip a significant PR exercise as the couple attempts to regain popularity. She also questioned how Nigerian citizens feel about this, pointing out that while some photographs and videos show smiles and warm welcomes, many Nigerians went to bed hungry.
Inno echoed these sentiments, stating that many Nigerians feel disappointed, abandoned, and betrayed by their government, which he claims uses the media for publicity while ignoring the country's real challenges. He criticized the government for staging grand shows for the international community while Nigerians suffer from severe economic and humanitarian issues.
Alex Phillips further criticized Harry and Meghan's behavior, likening it to that of Hollywood celebrities in a country facing significant hardships. Inno agreed, emphasizing that while Nigerians might not have a problem with the ex-royal couple, they do have an issue with their government’s misplaced priorities. He urged the government to stop staging extravagant shows while people are starving and losing their jobs every day.
