The First Lady of Nigeria made comments about her hopes for young ladies dressing modestly just after Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, faced backlash for wearing revealing outfits during a visit to the country.
Senator Oluremi Tinubu, wife of President Bola Tinubu, did not specifically mention Markle as someone who dresses indecently, but rather indicated American celebrities generally while voicing her criticism.
“We have to salvage our children,” she said, per The New York Post. “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,” she added. “That is not beautiful. It’s not beautiful at all.”
“They’re all beautiful girls, but they should be confident in who they are,” Tinubu said at another point. “We are fashionable, we see what is going on.”
“When mothers stand with you, the house is in order,” she added. “Looking ahead, we must endeavor to become the unifying force in our homes and our communities, to bring about greater prosperity for our nation.”
Tinubu did mention Markle publicizing that she is 43% Nigerian according to DNA test results.
“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,” the First Lady said in her speech.
Markle, who stepped back from her duties as a senior working royal in January 2020, attracted negative attention earlier this month during her visit to Nigeria due to the revealing outfits she wore. Critics said it was disrespectful for her to dress that way in a country that identifies as mostly Muslim.
Prince Harry and the Duchess of Sussex visited Nigeria for the first time this month since they retired from the working royal life. The couple was there to promote the Invictus Games, an international sports competition that Harry started for veterans who are injured in action.
The royal couple was celebrating the tenth anniversary of the games and expressed their excitement over plans for a new Invictus Centre in Nigeria. “Seeing the plans for the new Invictus Center gives me goosebumps,” Prince Harry said, per The Post.