In a three-day trip, Prince Harry and Meghan have arrived in Nigeria.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex landed in Nigeria on Friday, starting a three-day personal trip to the West African country, where they will meet with wounded soldiers and visit local charity organizations, officials have announced.

Air Vice-Marshal Abidemi Marquis, the director of sports at the Nigerian Defense Headquarters, said in a media briefing on Thursday that the Sussexes are now traveling to the country as part of the Invictus community.

Their first priority was an event hosted at a school in Abuja, the Nigerian capital, where Meghan told students, "I see myself in all of you."

Outside the Light Academy, students lined up patiently alongside dancers to welcome the royal couple. They were there to kick off a two-day mental health conference led by the GEANCO Foundation, which supports girls and young women across the country with menstrual health products and education.

"We are honored to have you here. Our incredible dance moves will have to be accepted!" Meghan exclaimed. "My husband was excited to dance!" she added, delighting the school's students.

Harry then engaged in conversation, asking them about their knowledge of mental health and urging them to take care of themselves and each other.

"Will you promise us that you won't feel afraid after today, won't feel uncertain about your mental health? If you're uncertain, ask. Ask your teachers. Ask your friends. Be there for each other," he said.

"What will you do if you see your friends laughing in class? Will you check on them? Will you ask if they're okay? Because it's okay not to be okay."

As they departed, the couple were presented with a traditional wooden mask and a set of books on Nigerian traditions. "I'll have to read these now," added the Duchess.

Prince Harry and Meghan were invited to Nigeria by Chief of Defense Staff, Christopher Musa, the country's highest-ranking military officer. During a luncheon at the Defense Headquarters in Abuja on Friday afternoon, he officially welcomed them to Nigeria.

The Duke expressed gratitude to their hosts, praising Nigeria for its resilience in the face of adversity, whether in the form of sport or in the rehabilitation process of injured or wounded personnel.

"You are not a first country that has recognized that it doesn't just change lives, it saves lives. For every soul touched by Invictus in Nigeria's struggle for independence and the preservation of Nigerian heritage, I am forever grateful to all of you," he said.

Marquis said that Duchess was eager to travel with her husband as "a part of his lineage and heritage." Meghan had revealed in 2022 that she had discovered a genetic heritage test that identified her as 43% Nigerian.

The Nigeria trip was announced two weeks ago, sparking excitement among the public.

Oyeyemi Aderibigbe, 38, a Lagos-based lawyer, told CNN, "I've seen Harry's transformation and personal expression... and I like how brave he is about living authentically. Meghan was my favorite character in the 'Suits' series. I love how she has spent so much time using her voice for good, openly sharing her experiences."

"Together, they are using their influence to democratize and challenge reasons for underrepresentation of marginalized groups. I would love to see them at an event with young people in Nigerian politics," she added.

Entrepreneur Ife Durosinmi-Etti expressed her excitement that Meghan "is coming to a place she absolutely loves and feels welcome."

"When I learned about Nigerian heritage, I felt validated because Nigerian women are smart, resilient, multifaceted, and they go after what they want. That's exactly how I see her, so when I heard; I was like, 'Yes, this is that Nigerian spirit,'" said the 35-year-old.

A packed itinerary

As a couple visiting Nigeria for the first time, they will promote mental health and women empowerment themes alongside the Invictus Games.

Harry jetted off to Abuja after a quick trip to London, where he attended an event marking the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games, a Paralympic-style event for wounded, injured, and sick servicemen and veterans.

Meghan flew in from Los Angeles, and together, they are following a busy schedule, which includes visiting a veterans' rehabilitation center and touring facilities dedicated to aiding veterans' welfare.

On Saturday, the Duke is set to join injured veterans in a volleyball game, and later, it is hoped that his wife, the Chief Executive of the World Trade Organization, will co-host a women's leadership event.

As it is described as a private trip, the royal couple will not meet with Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu. However, they will meet with governors of Lagos and Kaduna states.

Nigeria's High Commissioner to the UK, Richard Montgomery, told local media that a meeting with the Nigerian leader is off the table because "they are on a private power trip, not official."

Facing deep challenges

Nigerian military personnel are facing deep challenges, especially as the country has been fighting Boko Haram insurgency since 2009. On Friday, the Musas discussed some other issues - such as terrorism and crime - that their armed forces are grappling with, presenting an "ID card" for them, which Musa said was the "biggest challenge" they face.

In response, Duke shared that he was waiting to go to a hospital to assist military personnel in Kaduna, a northern city of the country.

The couple's host, the Nigerian Defense Headquarters, is keen to involve them more in the Invictus Games and to engage them as part of the larger Invictus community.

Reflecting on the most recent Invictus Games held in Germany, Harry reminisced, "The team that came to Dusseldorf was small but mighty. They owned the stage. They won medals and danced off the stage. They were the spirit and soul of that game. Now our goal is to help that team grow and to provide as much opportunity and facilities here in Nigeria and for the games coming next year."

Markwe said involvement in the Invictus Games rehabilitation program has improved the morale of Nigerian soldiers by a hundredfold and stated that the games held every two years have generated interest.

He added, "This rehabilitation program has given our soldiers a new lease of life both physically and mentally."

Cpl. Tim Nigeria's Commander Ifeoma Antigha told CNN last year that the games had given her a new lease of life. "Before, I never thought I could put myself together through this sport. The Invictus Foundation has helped me grow physically and mentally.