Prince Harry and Meghan Markle concluded their impactful three-day tour in Nigeria, where they visited the largest state in Nigeria, Lagos, during a trip to promote his Invictus Games for wounded military veterans. Their visit not only brought global attention to the country but also left a lasting impact on the local community.
Harry and his wife arrived in the country’s capital, Abuja, on Friday. There, they visited a school event focused on mental health, a cause close to their hearts.
The event aimed to raise awareness about mental health issues, reduce stigma, and promote mental well-being among the Nigerian youth. Harry also met with wounded Nigerian soldiers in the northwest, discussing their experiences and offering his support.
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On the third day of the visit, the couple participated in a basketball event with the Giants of Africa Foundation in Lagos. The event was a part of the foundation’s ongoing efforts to use sports engagement as a tool for youth development.
The couple’s participation not only boosted the morale of the young athletes but also highlighted the importance of such initiatives in promoting social inclusion and personal growth.
Harry learned how to dribble basketballs with children at the exhibition event for the foundation, which is run by the president of an NBA team, Masai Ujiri.
Prince Harry said at the event, “The power of sports can change lives, it brings people together and creates community and there are no barriers which is the most important thing.”
Harry, an ex-military captain who flew helicopters in Afghanistan, founded the life-changing Invictus Games in 2014. The Games aim to enrol wounded soldiers in sporting events, providing them with a platform for recovery and inspiring many with their resilience.
The couple later met with the governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and attended a fundraiser.
Sanwo-Olu said, “He has seen a lot and is still soaking in a whole lot,” describing what Harry has experienced since he arrived in Nigeria.
On Friday, Meghan, with her Nigerian heritage, attended a women’s event for women in leadership with Nigerian-born World Trade Organisation director Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. The Duchess, a role model to women, shared her personal connection to Nigeria, fostering a sense of shared heritage and cultural understanding.
Meghan 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,” before adding, “my country.”
“It’s been really eye-opening and humbling to be able to know more about my heritage and to be able to know, this is just the beginning of that discovery.”
Meanwhile, in Abuja, Harry took part in a Volleyball match with Nigerian veterans, some of whom were missing limbs from combating terrorism in the Northern part of Nigeria.
Before travelling to Nigeria, Prince Harry stopped in his home state of London on Wednesday to mark the 10th anniversary of Invetus.
His trip to the UK prompted reactions and speculations in the UK media. Harry, who moved to the United States with his wife in 2020, has been the subject of several reports speculating about a possible reconciliation with his family, particularly his brother, William and his father, King Charles.
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