The First Lady of Nigeria has backtracked on comments she made about Meghan Markle’s visit to her country last month.
The office of Senator Oluremi Tinubu, wife of President Bola Tinubu, clarified Tinubu’s comments about American celebrities after Meghan’s recent visit.
“We have to salvage our children,” the First Lady said. “We see the way they dress. We are not having the Met Gala. And everyone, the nakedness, is just everywhere and the men are well-clothed.”
“Tell them we don’t accept nakedness in our culture. That is not beautiful. It’s not beautiful at all,” Tinubu added.
Meghan and Prince Harry visited Nigeria at the invitation of the Chief of Defense Staff, the country’s highest-ranking military official, People.com reported.
“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,” Tinubu said.
The First Lady’s office said her speech was misinterpreted, and that she wasn’t criticizing Meghan’s wardrobe or her visit to Nigeria.
“She meant Meghan appreciates the people we are and hence her coming here,” the First Lady’s office said in a statement to AFP Fact Check in a story published on May 30. “At no point did she say anything about Meghan’s dressing.”
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex did not publicly meet with the President of Nigeria or his wife during their trip.
Meghan said in 2022 that she learned she was 43% Nigerian through a DNA test. She said she feels a connection to Nigeria.
