Nigeria’s First Lady Criticizes US Celebrities Following Meghan Markle’s Visit: “We Do Not Want Nakedness in Our Culture”

In a bold address just weeks after Meghan Markle’s high-profile visit, the First Lady of Nigeria warned the nation’s women: Don’t lose yourself trying to emulate American celebrities.

Meghan Markle gestures as she and Prince Harry visit children at the Lights Academy in Abuja, Nigeria, on Friday, May 10, 2024. AP

Senator Oluremi Tinubu, wife of President Bola Tinubu, didn’t hold back as she aimed at the pervasive influence of Hollywood’s risqué fashion trends.

First Lady of Nigeria Oluremi Tinubu slams Hollywood women’s influence on girls in Nigeria.Anadolu via Getty Images

Speaking in Abuja to commemorate her husband’s first year in office, Tinubu encouraged young people to dress modestly and reject the revealing styles popularized by US celebrities.

“We have to salvage our children,” she declared. “We see the way they dress. We are not having the Met Gala. And everyone, the nakedness, is just everywhere, and the men are well-clothed.”

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle pose for a photo as they attend the program held in the Armed Forces Complex in Abuja, Nigeria, on May 11, 2024. Meghan is wearing a strapless, tight-fitted dress. Anadolu via Getty Images

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attended a polo fundraiser event in Lagos, Nigeria, on May 12, 2024.REUTERS

She continued, “Tell them we don’t accept nakedness in our culture. That is not beautiful. It’s not beautiful at all.”

While Tinubu didn’t explicitly criticize Meghan Markle, she referenced the Duchess’s recent visit to Nigeria, where Markle emphasized her Nigerian roots, revealing she is 43% Nigerian according to a DNA test.

“Why did Meghan come here looking for Africa? That is something we have to take home with [us]. We know who we are. Don’t lose who you are,” Tinubu stated.

Nigeria Chief of Defense Staff Christopher Musa (L), his wife Lilian Musa (2ndL), Lagos State Governor wife, Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu (3rdL), Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu (3ndR), Britain’s Prince Harry (2ndR), Duke of Sussex, and Britain’s Meghan (R), Duchess of Sussex, pose for a photo at the State Governor House in Lagos on May 12, 2024 as they visit Nigeria as part of celebrations of Invictus Games anniversary.AFP via Getty Images

Markle and Prince Harry’s trip to Nigeria, intended to promote the Invictus Games, garnered mixed reactions.

Some experts criticized Markle’s choice of expensive and revealing outfits, suggesting she could have shown “more modesty” in a country where just over half of the population is Muslim.

Meghan Markle speaks at a Women in Leadership event co-hosted with Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on May 11, 2024, in Abuja, Nigeria, wearing a spaghetti-strapped red dress. Getty Images for The Archewell Foundation

One fashion expert noted that Markle “bared too much skin” and would likely have dressed more conservatively had the trip been organized by Buckingham Palace.

During her speech, Tinubu emphasized Nigerian women’s beauty and urged them to be confident in their identity.

“They’re all beautiful girls, but they should be confident in who they are,” she said. “We are fashionable; we see what is going on.”

The First Lady also called on Nigerian women to become unifying forces in their homes and communities, promoting greater prosperity for the nation.

“When mothers stand with you, the house is in order,” she asserted. “Looking ahead, we must endeavour to become the unifying force in our homes and communities to bring about greater prosperity for our nation.”

The Sussexes’ three-day visit to Nigeria marked their first official trip to Africa since stepping down as working royals and relocating to California.

Celebrating the tenth anniversary of the Invictus Games, the couple received warm welcomes despite the controversy surrounding Markle’s wardrobe choices.

Prince Harry praised Nigerian athletes, saying they represented their country extraordinarily at the last competition, winning medals and returning with smiles.

Plans moved the royal for a new Invictus Games centre in Nigeria.

At a reception hosted by Nigeria’s Chief of Defense Staff Christopher Musa, Harry expressed excitement over the upcoming Abuja facility to assist war veterans with rehabilitation.

“Seeing the new Invictus Centre plans gives me goosebumps,” he said.

The Duke and Duchess now reside in California with their children, Princess Lilibet and Prince Archie.

Sola Adeniji

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