A recent speech by Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has raised eyebrows after a perceived dig towards Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex.
The Duke and Duchess’s visit to Nigeria earlier this month, unofficially dubbed a “faux royal tour,” was a focus of media attention. Meghan reportedly spent a significant sum on new outfits for the trip, aiming to “fit in” with the country’s vibrant fashion scene.
However, Senator Tinubu’s address celebrating President Bola Tinubu’s first year in office seemingly took aim at the Duchess’s wardrobe choices. While not directly mentioning Meghan, Tinubu spoke of Nigerian women not desiring to emulate “film stars from America” with their “nakedness.” This has sparked discussions about cultural expectations and appropriate attire for public figures on international visits.
She said: ‘The message here is we have to salvage our children. We see the way they dress.
‘They keep forgetting that Nigeria, we are beautiful. You can see what they showcase on the stage, I said, “we are fashionable, we see what is going on”.
‘We are not having the Met Gala. 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.
‘And they’re all beautiful girls, but they should be confident in who they are.
‘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.
‘We know who we are. Don’t lose who you are.’
During Harry and Meghan’s trip, the couple visited a war zone, Nigeria’s defence headquarters, a primary and secondary school, and played volleyball.
During the trip, Meghan confidently referred to Nigeria as “my country” after learning from a genealogy test that she is 43% Nigerian.
Speaking at an event in Abuja, the country’s capital, she said: ‘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.
