Tinubu in Ankara: Presidency downplays stumble during Turkish state visit

Nigeria’s presidency has moved to reassure the public that President Bola Tinubu is “in good health” after he briefly lost his balance during a high-profile ceremonial reception in Türkiye.

A video from the event in Ankara showed the 73-year-old leader stumbling while walking alongside Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. He was quickly assisted by security personnel and continued with the ceremony, which included a 21-gun salute and the playing of both national anthems.

The President’s team was quick to dismiss health concerns, describing the incident as a “mere stumble” caused by a physical obstacle on the ground.

‘A fleeting incident’

Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga explained that the slip occurred when Mr. Tinubu stepped on a metal object on the floor.

“This is not a big deal, except for those who want to make mischief out of a fleeting incident,” Mr Onanuga said in a statement. “It was a mere stumble, thank God, not a fall.”

Despite the brief interruption, the presidency confirmed that Mr Tinubu proceeded immediately to a closed-door meeting with President Erdoğan. Sunday Dare, a special adviser to the President, shared updates showing the leader engaged in bilateral talks, looking “fit and focused.”

Defence and energy on the table

This is Mr Tinubu’s first official visit to Türkiye, aimed at reciprocating President Erdoğan’s 2021 trip to Nigeria. The two leaders are expected to sign several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) across critical sectors:

• Defence & Security: Deepening military cooperation and technical training.
• Energy: Exploring new partnerships in gas and renewable energy.
• Trade: A business forum is planned to connect investors from both nations to boost non-oil exports.

[Image: The Nigerian delegation in Ankara including Finance Minister Wale Edun and Defence Minister Gen. Christopher Musa]

Diplomatic push

The visit comes at a time when Nigeria is aggressively seeking foreign direct investment to stabilise its economy. Mr Tinubu is accompanied by a heavyweight delegation, including the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, and the Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake.

The talks are expected to focus on how Turkish engineering and manufacturing expertise can support Nigeria’s infrastructure goals, while Nigeria offers Türkiye a gateway into the African Continental Free Trade Area.