Turkiye Visit: ‘We Thank God Tinubu Didn’t Fall, It Was A Minor Stumble, No Big Deal’

The Presidency has reassured Nigerians that President Bola Tinubu is in good health and proceeding with his scheduled state visit to Türkiye as planned, following a brief stumble during a ceremonial reception in Ankara on Tuesday.

The update was provided by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, via his verified X handle.

Dare confirmed that the President moved from the ceremonial welcome to scheduled bilateral meetings with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and other senior officials.

President Tinubu, after a stately welcome ceremony in Ankara, proceeded to scheduled bilateral meetings with the President of Türkiye and other senior government officials,” the statement read.

The meetings are aimed at deepening diplomatic relations and expanding cooperation across strategic sectors, including defence and security, trade and investment, energy, and broader economic development.

The smooth progression of the visit reflects growing ties between Nigeria and Türkiye and underscores Nigeria’s renewed diplomatic outreach under President Tinubu.

Addressing concerns about the President’s well-being, the presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, explained that the stumble was minor and caused by the President stepping on a metal object on the floor.

The President stepped on a metal on the floor, which made him lose his balance. This is not a big deal, except for those who want to make mischief out of a fleeting incident. It was a mere stumble, thank God, not a fall,” Onanuga said.