Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has addressed the controversy surrounding her comments on modesty in the wake of Meghan Markle’s recent visit to Nigeria. The First Lady’s comments came during a speech celebrating her husband’s first year in office, where she emphasized the importance of modesty for Nigerian women and girls. Since then, her comments have sparked speculation about her opinion of the Duchess of Sussex’s wardrobe choice during her trip.
Oluremi Tinubu clarified his stance, noting that while he advocates modesty, his comments were not specifically directed at Meghan Markle. She expressed concern about the broader influence of American pop culture and its penchant for what she called “nudity.” This was in line with her advocacy of more conservative fashion norms in Nigeria, in contrast to the often more revealing styles popularized by American movie stars, she said. Mirror.
“She meant that Meghan appreciates the people we are and that’s why she came here. At no time did he say anything about Meghan’s way of dressing,” Tinubu’s office clarified to AFP Fact Check by email. “I think, being African-American, part of that is not knowing a lot about your genealogy, your background, where you come from specifically. It was exciting… to find out more and what that (having Nigerian heritage) really means,” he had said.
The context of his comments followed Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s three-day visit to Nigeria, which was part of celebrations for the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games—a sporting event for veterans and wounded, injured or ill armed forces personnel, founded by Prince Harry. During her 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 debate on cultural differences in perceptions of modesty and fashion between Western and Nigerian societies. In addressing these speculations, Oluremi Tinubu sought to reorient the narrative towards the values he wishes to promote within his country, rather than any perceived criticism of the Duchess of Sussex.
This clarification seeks to correct any misunderstanding that arose from her initial speech and 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 underscore the balancing act between embracing global perspectives and maintaining local customs and traditions.
