In a heartwarming display of gratitude and camaraderie, Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex and founder of the Invictus Games, has publicly acknowledged the tireless efforts of Derrick Cobbinah in championing Nigeria’s historic entry as the first African nation to participate in the event. Cobbinah, a British Army veteran and CEO/Co-founder of the Africa Unconquered Foundation, has been instrumental in advocating for wounded, injured, and sick (WIS) service personnel across West Africa, particularly in bridging the gap for former soldiers in Ghana and Nigeria.

A Shared Mission: Cobbinah and Wiseman’s Partnership (CobWise)

Derrick Cobbinah, a British Army veteran and CEO/Co-founder of the Africa Unconquered Foundation, has long been the driving force behind veteran advocacy in Ghana and Nigeria. His vision to give African WIS personnel a global platform led to Nigeria’s debut at the 2023 Invictus Games in Düsseldorf, where a 10-member team competed for the first time.

Working in lockstep with him is David Wiseman, a British Army veteran, Invictus Games gold medalist, and co-architect of the Invictus Games Foundation’s outreach programs in Africa. Together, they form CobWise—a dynamic partnership blending on-the-ground leadership with global expertise to champion African veterans. Wiseman provides strategic guidance on training, rehabilitation, and international alignment, while Cobbinah drives local implementation and cultural integration. “I also helped with David Wiseman for his support on this journey,” Cobbinah reflected, underscoring the strength of CobWise in turning advocacy into action.

Milestones of Impact

•  2023 Düsseldorf Games: Nigeria’s debut team, mentored by Cobbinah and trained under Wiseman’s adaptive sports framework, featured Peacemaker Azuegbulam, who won Africa’s first Invictus gold in powerlifting. 

•  May 2024 Royal Visit: During the Sussexes’ trip to Abuja, Harry and Meghan visited Nigeria Unconquered, where CobWise co-hosted a sitting volleyball exhibition. Harry joined the match—and lost with a grin—while praising their leadership. 

•  2025 Vancouver Games: Nigeria returned stronger with a 14-member squad, securing multiple medals.