HRH The Duke of Edinburgh’s Inspiring Journey to Nigeria: A Royal Mission of Team Building, Hope and Kindness
On 17 November 2025, His Royal Highness Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, stepped onto Nigerian soil and was enveloped in the warmest of embraces by none other than President Bola Ahmed Tinubu himself. In the sunlit halls of the Presidential Villa in Abuja, the President greeted the Duke with genuine delight and open arms, hailing him as a true champion of youth and a valued friend of Nigeria. This fabulous personal welcome set the tone for a visit radiating possibility – a living celebration of the unbreakable bond between the United Kingdom and Nigeria, and a powerful affirmation that when leaders invest in young people, entire nations rise together.
President Tinubu received the Duke alongside the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Sir Richard Montgomery, and the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun. The meeting held on Monday in Abuja. HRH Prince Edward’s visit precedes a week-long programme in Lagos from 17–23 November 2025, where he is expected to lead activities promoting the expansion of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award globally. The initiative will bring together close to 200 young people from more than 50 countries, in addition to Award leaders, youth advocates, policymakers, and representatives from international youth organisations.
Over the course of the week, participants will engage in a three-day leadership development programme designed to strengthen youth capacity and collaboration. They will later join the International Award’s triennial global Forum, which will centre on extending access to the Award across different regions.
HRH Prince Edwards Meeting with His Excellency Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu Governor of Lagos
He visited alongside his team from the International Award for Young People, to brief the Governor on the level of work being done by the foundation that has benefitted young students across Nigeria, particularly Lagos state. Engaging discussions on robust plans for equipping Nigeria state owned schools with ICT infrastructure, power and work tools such that the pupils are given the opportunity to actively participate and ultimately compete with their counterparts globally. The Goverment welcomed future collaborations with HRH The Duke of Edinburgh and the International Award for Young People as this is a reflection of our plans to support initiatives that provide opportunities and empower our young ones in their journey towards self development.
From that heartfelt presidential audience, the Duke’s two standout engagements have captured hearts worldwide. First, at a vibrant girls’ secondary school in Lagos, he sat among bright-eyed Award participants who shared raw, moving stories of overcoming hardship through volunteering, expeditions, and skill-building – many wiping away tears as Prince Edward listened with quiet intensity and praised their courage. Second, at the opening of the International Gold Event and Forum, he delivered an electrifying keynote to nearly 200 Gold achievers from over 50 countries, celebrating Nigeria’s extraordinary 37% growth in participation and declaring that “the future belongs to young people who dare to serve, to explore, and to believe in themselves.” These moments – one intimate and deeply personal, the other global and triumphant – have become the beating heart of the tour.
At the core of this royal mission lies the transformative Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award, founded by Prince Edward’s father, Prince Philip, nearly seventy years ago and now touching millions of lives. In Lagos, young Nigerians who once faced towering barriers now stand tall as leaders and dreamers, their Gold medals shining symbols of resilience, service, and hope. The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award continues to attract rising global participation. Almost 1.2 million young people across more than 130 countries took part last year alone. While the United Kingdom accounts for about half of all participants, Kenya has the second highest enrollment. Nigeria, where this year’s activities are taking place, has seen a significant 37 percent rise in participation reflecting growing momentum across West Africa.
Yet what elevates this visit into something truly unforgettable is His Royal Highness Prince Edward’s own quiet, lifelong devotion. For decades he has carried his father’s vision not as duty but as passion – travelling tirelessly, listening earnestly, and championing every young person as if their dream were the only one that mattered. In Nigeria his gentle pride, infectious belief in youth, and steadfast leadership have inspired a generation and generated over £1 billion in social value for the first time ever. As the Award approaches its 70th anniversary, HRH Prince Edward’s presence in Nigeria is a luminous reminder that when one man commits his life to lifting others, the ripple becomes a wave – and the world becomes brighter, bolder – one young heart at a time.
