Prince Edward has arrived in Nigeria today for a week-long visit to convene a major international youth gathering in Lagos.
The Duke of Edinburgh will bring together nearly 200 young participants from more than 50 nations for the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award programme.
As chairman of the Award's international foundation, Prince Edward will oversee both an intensive three-day youth leadership programme and the organisation's triennial forum.
The events, running from November 17 to 23, aim to expand global access to the Award scheme.
Prince Edward follows in Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's footsteps with latest move
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The visit includes planned engagements in both Lagos and the capital, Abuja, where the Duke is scheduled to meet President Bola Tinubu.
Nigeria has experienced a remarkable surge in Award participation, with a 37 per cent increase over the past 12 months, demonstrating growing enthusiasm throughout West Africa.
Edward will engage with senior ministers and international development organisations in Lagos to strengthen partnerships in non-formal education.
His itinerary includes significant events organised by the Lagos Governor and the British Deputy High Commissioner.
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex pictured in Lagos, Nigeria in 2024
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The Abuja portion of the visit will feature the anticipated meeting with President Tinubu, alongside additional engagements in the capital.
These activities form part of broader efforts to champion the Award's expansion as it approaches its 70th anniversary next year.
The Award currently engages 1.2 million young participants across more than 130 nations and territories globally.
Kenya ranks second worldwide for participant numbers, whilst the United Kingdom accounts for approximately half of all those taking part.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle received great support in Nigeria | REUTERS
New analysis reveals the programme's social value has surpassed £1billion for the first time, calculated through a PwC-developed methodology measuring volunteering impact, health improvements and community cohesion.
Martin Houghton-Brown, the Award's Secretary General, stated: "More and more young people across the world are taking on the challenge of the Award, and embracing learning outside the classroom."
He emphasised how the programme develops crucial "human edge" capabilities, including teamwork, creativity, determination and flexibility.
Prince Edward's comprehensive week-long programme contrasts markedly with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's three-day Nigerian visit in May 2024.
Harry and Meghan were invited to Nigeria by the country's chief of defence staff | REUTERS
The Sussexes' trip, spanning May 10 to 12, focused on promoting the Invictus Games Foundation and supporting wounded military personnel.
Harry and Meghan were invited by Nigeria's chief of defence staff after the nation became the first African country to join the Invictus Community of Nations in 2022.
Their brief tour concentrated on mental health awareness, women's leadership initiatives and sports empowerment programmes.
Whilst both royal visits champion youth development, they represent distinctly different approaches and organisational focuses.