Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, are set to visit Nigeria in May for discussions on the Invictus Games, following Nigeria’s debut appearance at the event last year.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex received an invitation from Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, Mohammed Badaru, who expressed interest in hosting the games in the country.
Nigeria, along with Colombia and Israel, made their first appearance at the 2023 Invictus Games in Düsseldorf, Germany, joining 21 other nations in the event that welcomed 500 athletes.
Brigadier-General Tukur Gusau, the acting Director of Defence Information, stated that the royal couple’s visit is to “consolidate Nigeria’s stronghold at the game and the possibility of hosting the event in later years.”
During the previous Invictus Games, Prince Harry humorously remarked about the competition becoming more intense since Meghan discovered her Nigerian heritage, saying, “Now, I’m not saying we play favorites in our home, but since my wife discovered she’s of Nigerian descent, it’s likely to get a little bit more competitive this year.”
Following a celebration at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London on May 8 for the Invictus Games’ 10th anniversary, Prince Harry, 39, will be joined by Meghan, 42, in Nigeria. The couple is expected to engage with service members and participate in cultural activities during their visit.
Meghan’s revelation of being 43% Nigerian, as disclosed in a podcast episode, has sparked interest in her ancestral roots. She expressed her eagerness to delve deeper into her heritage, highlighting her connection to Nigeria.
During their interaction with Team Nigeria at the previous games, the couple received a warm reception and were bestowed with honorary titles. Meghan was affectionately named “Amira Ngozi Lolo,” symbolizing a warrior princess with blessings and royal ties.
The Invictus Games, inspired by the Warrior Games in the United States, were initiated by Prince Harry in 2014 to provide wounded veterans with opportunities to participate in sports events akin to the Paralympics.
