“We Don’t Accept Nakedness”: Did Nigeria’s First Lady Criticize Meghan Markle’s Visit?

Just weeks after her visit to Nigeria with Prince Harry, Meghan Markle finds herself amid a controversy sparked by comments from Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu. The First Lady spoke about “nakedness” and American celebrity culture, leading many to speculate if her remarks were aimed at the Duchess of Sussex.

In early May, Meghan and Harry were invited to Nigeria by the country’s highest-ranking military officer for a three-day tour. During the trip, Meghan donned various designer outfits, some of which revealed her back and shoulders. This choice of attire contrasted with the typically modest dress of many Nigerian women.

Following their visit, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu addressed an event for the We Are Equal initiative, discussing the influence of celebrity culture on Nigerian values. Her comments on “nakedness” in Nigerian culture have been widely interpreted, but it remains unclear if they were a direct critique of Meghan, via GB News.

“They keep forgetting that Nigeria, we are beautiful. We are not having the Met Gala,” Tinubu began. “And everyone, the nakedness, is just everywhere, and the men are well-clothed. So we have to do something. Tell them we don’t accept nakedness in our culture. That is not beautiful. It’s not beautiful at all.”

Tinubu continued, “They do not want to mimic and try to emulate film stars from America. They don’t know where they come from. 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.”

Despite the speculation, the First Lady’s remarks did not explicitly target Meghan. Nonetheless, they have sparked a broader conversation about cultural differences and the influence of Western celebrity culture in Nigeria.

During their visit, Harry and Meghan maintained a busy schedule. They kicked off a mental health summit at the Lightway Academy and unveiled a partnership between the Archewell Foundation and the GEANCO Foundation to provide school supplies and menstrual products to students.

In addition, Prince Harry inspected a Nigerian military guard of honor, a gesture reminiscent of his royal duties, which he officially relinquished four years ago. This trip marked the couple’s first return to Africa since stepping back from their royal roles in March 2020 and relocating to California.

Meghan also co-hosted a Women in Leadership event with Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Director-General of the World Trade Organization. During this event, Meghan spoke about her Nigerian heritage, sharing her gratitude for the warm welcome she received.

“I want to start by saying thank you very much for just how gracious you’ve all been in welcoming my husband and I to this country … my country,” Markle said. “I am just flattered and honored and inspired”, via New York Post.

Reflecting on her heritage, Meghan continued, “Never in a million years would I understand it as much as I do now. And what has been echoed so much in the past day is, ‘Oh, we are not so surprised when we found out you are Nigerian.’ It is a compliment because what they define as a Nigerian woman is brave, resilient, courageous, beautiful.”

Previously, in an October 2022 episode of her Spotify podcast, Archetypes, Meghan revealed she had taken a DNA test and discovered she is 43% Nigerian, deepening her connection to the country.

The visit to Nigeria was significant for both Meghan and Harry, providing a platform for philanthropic work and a chance to connect with Meghan’s heritage. However, the subsequent comments by Nigeria’s First Lady have added a layer of complexity to their journey.