Harry and Meghan will not meet with Tinubu as their visit is a private and not an official one

BRITAIN'S Duke and Duchess of York Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will not be meeting with President Bola Tinubu during their three day visit to Nigeria because their trip is a private and not an official one according to  high commission in Abuja.

Earlier today, Prince Harry and his wife breezed into Abuja on the first day of a three day trip, where they were warmly welcomed by an enthusiastic crowd. Visiting at the request of the chief of defence staff General Christopher Musa, the Sussexes will meeting with wounded soldiers and visit local charities.

Nigeria is now part of the Invictus community as the military has a lot of injured soldiers due to the ongoing wear against terrorists in the northeast of the country. This morning, they got the trip underway with a visit to the Lightway Academy in Abuja, where students lined up to welcome the royal couple, alongside a troupe of dancers.

At the school, Meghan who in 20222 revealed that she is she 43% Nigerian, indicating that some of her ancestors were from Nigeria,  told students: “I see myself in all of you. We’re so honoured to be with you. We have got to acknowledge those amazing dance moves! My husband was excited to jump up.”

They kicked off a two-day mental health summit run by the Geanco Foundation, which supports girls and young women across the country with menstrual health products and education. Harry then asked the children about their knowledge of mental health and reminding them to look after themselves and each other.

As the trip has been described as a private visit, the royal couple will not be meeting with Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu. However, they will meet with the governors of Lagos and Kaduna State before leaving.

Richard Montgomery, the UK’s high commissioner to Nigeria, said: "There wouldn’t be a meeting with the Nigerian leader because they are visiting in a private capacity, not an official one.”

After meeting with General Musa at defence headquarters Nigeria's highest-ranking military official, the Sussexes were formally welcomed to Nigeria. Prince Harry expressed his gratitude to their hosts, commending Nigeria for recognising the power of sport in the rehabilitation process for the injured or wounded.

This is the Sussexes’ first trip as a couple to Nigeria, where they will be heavily promoting their Invictus Games brand as well as the themes of mental health and female empowerment. On Saturday, Prince Harry is scheduled to join wounded veterans during a sitting volleyball game and later, his wife is expected to co-host a women’s leadership event with Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the director-general of the World Trade Organisation.