Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Support Youth Empowerment Through Sports in Nigeria

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, recently made their first visit to Nigeria and were welcomed with street-style dances in Lagos, the country's bustling commercial hub. During their visit, they announced a partnership between their Archewell Foundation and Giants of Africa, a non-profit organization that focuses on empowering young people through sport. The royal couple's visit to Nigeria came after an invitation from Nigeria's chief of defence staff.

At Ilupeju Senior Grammar School on Lagos Mainland, Prince Harry and Meghan watched a basketball practice session. Prince Harry even took to the court to participate in some ball-bouncing drills and attempted to shoot some hoops. In his address to the Giants of Africa team, Prince Harry commended the organization for its amazing work.

He emphasized the transformative power of sport in changing lives, bringing people together, and creating communities without barriers. The Archewell Foundation and Giants of Africa announced plans to construct a basketball court in Nigeria's capital city, Abuja. Masai Ujiri, the president of Giants of Africa and a former star of the Toronto Raptors, expressed his gratitude to Meghan on Mother's Day and highlighted the organization's efforts to unite communities and uplift young people, particularly through basketball.

Meghan, dressed in a Caroline Herrera shirt and a traditional Nigerian skirt gifted to her, shared her connection to Giants of Africa, having first learned about the organization during her time living in Toronto while working on the TV show Suits. Reflecting on the journey that led them to support Giants of Africa, Meghan expressed her surprise and gratitude at being able to contribute to the organization's expansion years after first hearing about it. The royal couple's visit to Lagos also included plans to attend a reception for a local charity before returning to their home in the United States with their two children.

Prince Harry stepped back from his royal duties in 2020 to pursue a more private life with Meghan and their family. The partnership between the Archewell Foundation and Giants of Africa represents a commitment to using sport as a tool for positive change and empowerment among young people. By investing in the construction of a basketball court in Abuja, the organizations aim to provide opportunities for young Nigerians to engage in sports, build communities, and overcome barriers through teamwork and participation.

Giants of Africa's focus on basketball as a means of youth development aligns with Prince Harry and Meghan's shared values of using their platform to make a meaningful impact in society. Through their partnership, they hope to inspire other organizations and individuals to support initiatives that harness the power of sport in creating positive change and fostering inclusive communities. As Prince Harry and Meghan continue their work with charitable organizations around the world, their visit to Nigeria symbolizes a commitment to building bridges, fostering connections, and lifting up young people through the universal language of sports.

The royal couple's engagement with Giants of Africa serves as a testament to the transformative potential of collaboration and shared values in creating a more just, equitable, and connected world.