Prince Harry and Meghan Markle share update from Nigeria

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have shared an update from Nigeria following the first day of their tour of the country.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrived in Abuja on Friday morning.

The couple will take part in engagements across the country during this weekend.

On Friday, both Harry and Meghan gave speeches about the importance of mental health awareness.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle

The couple's Archewell Foundation has posted an update regarding the first day of their tour.

A statement on the Archewell website said: "Today, Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, visited Lightway Academy in Abuja, Nigeria to launch its first-ever Mental Health Summit, the result of an expanded partnership between The Archewell Foundation and The GEANCO Foundation.

"The couple were warmly welcomed by ceremonial dancers and young people, before touring the campus and joining the Summit.

"Addressing the group of 200 students, The Duke and Duchess highlighted the importance of caring for our own wellbeing and creating space to prioritise our mental health, and those around us.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle

"Over the next three days, students will engage in various activities and discussions designed to offer resources and assistance for their mental well-being, including sessions on enhancing emotional wellness during adolescence and how to identify and manage stress.

"Following the discussions, The Duke and Duchess visited with recipients of GEANCO’s David Oyelowo Leadership Scholarship for Girls which provides full tuition, healthcare, and social & psychological support to young female survivors of terrorism and gender inequality in Nigeria.

"In 2023, The Archewell Foundation supported girls’ education and health in Nigeria, collaborating with The GEANCO Foundation to send school supplies and menstrual products to 2,500 girls in the region, addressing their critical needs and contributing to long-term, sustainable solutions in their lives.

"An estimated 37 million women and girls in Nigeria experience period poverty, unable to access or afford menstrual hygiene products. As a result, millions of girls in the country miss school every month, crippling their educational advancement.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle

"The Duke and Duchess will continue to support this prolific partnership with The GEANCO Foundation by providing hygiene products to 1,500 girls and pregnant women through their Foundation.

"We are pleased to announce the expansion of this partnership to include mental health resources and training for teenage girls and boys across Nigeria, where like so many other counties, stigma still has a stronghold.

"With this expansion, GEANCO will hold summits designed to provide the necessary information, skills, and coping mechanisms to thrive.

"The foundation thanks the Lightway Academy and Abuja community for their gracious and warm welcome to Nigeria."