ABUJA, Nigeria — Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, says it has been humbling to discover through genealogical testing that she is part Nigerian when she met women in the West African nation on Saturday.
On her second day in Nigeria, where she is visiting Prince Harry for the first time to also promote the mental health of wounded soldiers and girls, Meghan recognized Nigeria as “my country.” She added: “It’s been eye-opening to learn more about my heritage.”
“I would never in a million years understand it as much as I do now. And what’s been repeated so much in the last day is, ‘Oh, we’re not so surprised to learn that you’re Nigerian,’ she said at the women in leadership event co-hosted by Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, a Nigerian. economist and head of the World Trade Organization (WTO).
“It’s a compliment to you because what you define as a Nigerian woman is brave, resilient, courageous and beautiful,” Meghan told the audience.
The Duchess of Sussex had announced on her podcast in October 2022 that she discovered through DNA testing that she was “43% Nigerian.”
Her first reaction after finding out was to tell her mother, she said at the event in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja. “Part of being African-American is really not knowing much about your lineage and your background…and it was exciting for both of us,” she said.
Mo Abudu, presenter and CEO of media group EbonyLife, then asked the audience to suggest a Nigerian name for Meghan.
“Ifeoma,” someone in the excited crowd shouted, a name from Nigeria’s Igbo tribe that means “something precious.” “Omowale,” suggested another, from the Yoruba tribe, meaning ‘the child has returned home.’
Meghan joined female industry leaders like Okonjo-Iweala to discuss the importance of mentorship for young women and the professional challenges women face in a country like Nigeria, where it is not common for women to hold senior political and political positions. of leadership.
When asked by the presenter how she feels about becoming the first woman and first African to lead the WTO, Okonjo-Iweala said it was long overdue.
“When I will feel good is when we stop saying: ‘the first woman to do this… let her do that.’ “I have mixed feelings about being the first woman because I think women should have been there already.” She also spoke about mentors who have helped her in her career, including as a former Nigerian finance minister.
One way to mentor young women is to “come home” to be closer to them, Meghan said, citing Okonjo-Iweala’s case as an example. “You have to come home, at least you have to be a familiar face so that the next generation will say, ‘Oh, she looks like me and I can be that,'” she added.
Earlier in the day, Meghan watched as Harry and his Invictus Games team lost to the Nigerian military team in a game of sitting volleyball. It showed soldiers recovering from wounds sustained in the country’s fight against Islamic extremists and other armed gangs in the conflict-torn north.
After the match held at the Nigerian Armed Forces Mess in Abuja, Harry and Meghan were surrounded by players, their families and a group of women who presented Meghan with a Nigerian fabric.
“We are friends and family who support Harry and Meghan,” said Peace Adetoro, 57, a member of the group. “They are a beautiful couple and we love them very much. “We support them 100%.”
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