The Presidency yesterday dismissed health concerns following a brief stumble by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during an official reception ceremony in Ankara, Türkiye, describing the incident as minor and of no medical consequence.
Tinubu is in Türkiye as part of Nigeria’s ongoing diplomatic engagements aimed at strengthening bilateral relations, particularly in trade, investment, defence cooperation and infrastructure development.
The stumble, captured on video and widely circulated on social media, occurred during a ceremonial welcome organised by Turkish authorities as part of the President’s ongoing state visit.
The footage shows President Tinubu momentarily losing his footing while walking alongside his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, before quickly regaining his balance and continuing with the parade.
According to officials, the President missed a step on a poorly laid blue carpet, briefly staggered and fell, but was immediately assisted by aides and proceeded with the ceremony without interruption.
Providing clarification via his verified X handle, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, said the President continued his engagements as scheduled.
“Mr President missed his step very briefly and has continued his bilateral meetings with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. A live press conference is happening immediately after the bilateral,” he wrote.
Similarly, the Special Adviser on Public Communication, Sunday Dare, said the President was in good shape and fully engaged in official activities.
“President Tinubu, after a stately welcome ceremony in Ankara, proceeded to scheduled bilateral meetings with the President of Türkiye and other senior government officials from both countries,” Dare said.
No injury was recorded, and the President went on to participate fully in the rest of the scheduled programme. Reacting to public speculation, the Presidency reportedly said there was “no cause for alarm,” stressing that President Tinubu remains hale, hearty and in good health.
Presidential aides explained that the stumble was purely accidental and unrelated to the President’s health. A communication reportedly attributed to the Presidential Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the President immediately recovered and continued with his duties as planned.
“The President merely tripped on a poorly laid carpet. He recovered instantly and went on with the event. There is absolutely no health issue and no cause for concern,” the Presidency stated.
Officials added that neither Turkish authorities nor members of the diplomatic corps present at the ceremony expressed concern or made any public comment regarding the incident.
The Presidency confirmed that President Tinubu has continued to discharge his duties in Türkiye in line with the official itinerary, urging the public to disregard unfounded speculation and exaggerated interpretations of the brief episode.
Also, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, described President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ongoing state visit to Türkiye as a strategic engagement designed to deliver tangible benefits for Nigeria, dismissing suggestions that it is a routine foreign trip.
Speaking in an interview on the President’s arrival, Bwala said the visit was undertaken at the invitation of the Turkish government, noting that the gesture reflects Nigeria’s growing influence on the African continent and President Tinubu’s standing among global leaders.
He said the President arrived in Ankara for a series of engagements scheduled to commence fully from today (yesterday), with discussions expected to centre on defence, security and economic cooperation.
“This is not just another trip; it is a strategic visit,” Bwala said. “Nigeria is a country of influence in Africa, and the President is a leader whose voice counts globally. With the progress we are recording in the economy, security and governance, this visit provides an opportunity to explore mutually beneficial areas with Türkiye.”
Bwala disclosed that key ministers accompanying the President have been lined up for bilateral talks with their Turkish counterparts in sectors critical to Nigeria’s development agenda.
He also linked the visit to Nigeria’s recent diplomatic gains, including renewed engagement with the United Arab Emirates, saying the President’s leadership has helped rebuild confidence and strengthen international partnerships.
According to him, Türkiye’s expertise in security and defence manufacturing makes the relationship particularly significant, adding that both countries have benefited from sustained investments and cooperation over the years.
“This is a meeting of shared interests,” he said. “Türkiye has capacity in areas Nigeria needs, and Nigeria has also contributed value to the relationship over time. The enthusiasm witnessed on the President’s arrival reflects expectations on both sides.”
Bwala assured that details of the outcomes and deliverables from the bilateral talks would be made public at the conclusion of the engagements, stressing that Nigerians should expect tangible results from the visit.
