Meghan Markle’s visit to Nigeria was referenced in a speech by the country’s first lady, which was used to both attack and defend the Duchess of Sussex on social media.
Meghan and Prince Harry spent several days in the West African nation meeting school children and celebrating her husband’s Invictus Games tournament.
Over the weekend, footage emerged of First Lady Oluremi Tinubu discussing the fashions of some young Nigerian women, stating: “We don’t accept nakedness in our culture.” … CONTINUE READING
She said: “They are all beautiful girls but they should be confident to know they are. They don’t want to be like…even they are mimicking and trying 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 and don’t lose who you are.”
A clip of the speech went viral on X, formerly Twitter, after it was posted with the message: “When the First Lady of Nigeria puts your name, nakedness and ignorance about your identity in the same sentence… Ouch!!!”
The post has been viewed 880,000 times and liked 4,100 times, but not everyone agreed that the comment was a criticism of Meghan.
When the First Lady of Nigeria puts your name, nakedness and ignorance about your identity in the same sentence…
Ouch!!! pic.twitter.com/qP5ubpEyNL
— Melanated Mona (@Melanated_Mona) May 25, 2024
Supporters of Meghan suggested Tinubu had meant that the duchess went to Nigeria from California “looking for Africa” because of the power of Nigeria’s traditional fashion and culture, and that Nigerian women should therefore keep the country’s own traditions alive rather than copy Hollywood.
One wrote on X: “The First Lady of Nigeria tells Nigerian women to not lose sight of their culture, it’s the reason why Thee Duchess Meghan visited Nigeria.”
Others pointed to Meghan’s specific outfits during the tour to suggest the royal’s looks were out of step with the attire of her Nigerian hosts.
One Meghan critic wrote: “All I heard is ‘Nigeria is a decent cultured nation & their daughters need better role models who don’t come dressed nakedly like the likes of Meghan.’
“She also added if the likes of Meghan need a place to go naked, they should attend Met Gala. All hail the First Lady of Nigeria.”
Ultimately, Tinubu made no direct comment on Meghan’s tour outfits, though she did take a swipe at the Met Gala, which included some actual partial nudity among female celebrities, such as Rita Ora.
“We have to salvage our children,” Tinubu said. “We see the way they dress. They keep forgetting that Nigeria, we are beautiful.
“The moment you can see what they showcase on the stage, I said ‘we are fashionable we see what is going on.’
“We are not having a Met Gala. Everyone their nakedness is just everywhere and the men they are well clothed.
“So we have to do something. Tell them the way it is. We don’t accept nakedness in our culture. That is not beautiful. It’s not beautiful at all.”
Meghan was not a guest at the Met Gala and there is nothing to suggest the reference was intended to allude to Meghan’s attire in Abuja and Lagos.
