First Lady of Nigeria breaks silence on Meghan Markle’s outfit controversy
Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has addressed the controversy surrounding her comments about modesty in the wake of Meghan Markle’s recent visit to Nigeria. The First Lady’s remarks came during a speech celebrating her husband’s first year in office, where she emphasized the importance of modesty for Nigerian women and girls. Her comments have since sparked speculation regarding her views on the Duchess of Sussex’s wardrobe choices during her trip.
Oluremi Tinubu clarified her stance, noting that while she champions modesty, her comments were not specifically targeting Meghan Markle. She expressed concerns over the broader influence of American pop culture and its penchant for what she termed “nakedness.” This was in line with her advocacy for more conservative fashion norms within Nigeria, contrasting with the often more revealing styles popularized by American film stars, told The Mirror.
“She meant Meghan appreciates the people we are and hence her coming here. At no point did she say anything about Meghan’s dressing,” Tinubu’s office clarified to AFP Fact Check via email. “I think, being African-American, part of it is not really knowing so much about your genealogy, background, where you came from specifically. It was exciting … to discover more and what that [having Nigerian heritage] really means,” she had said.
The context of her remarks followed Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s three-day visit to Nigeria, which was part of the celebrations for the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games—a sports event for wounded, injured, or sick armed services personnel and veterans founded by Prince Harry. During their visit, Meghan participated in a panel discussion on women in leadership and spoke proudly of her heritage, which was well-received by attendees.
The First Lady’s comments have opened a discussion on the cultural differences in perceptions of modesty and fashion between Western and Nigerian societies. By addressing these speculations, Oluremi Tinubu aimed to refocus the narrative on the values she wishes to promote within her country, rather than on any perceived criticism of the Duchess of Sussex.
This clarification seeks to mend any misunderstandings that arose from her initial speech and to highlight that her focus remains on fostering a sense of pride and decorum among Nigerian women and girls, aligned with the country’s cultural values. As Nigeria continues to engage with global figures and icons, such conversations underline the balancing act between embracing global perspectives and maintaining local customs and traditions.