The Presidency has dismissed concerns after President Bola Tinubu briefly lost his balance on Tuesday during his official visit to Ankara, Türkiye, explaining that the incident was minor and has no impact on his health or official schedule.
According to the Presidency, the President remains in good condition and has continued with all planned engagements.
Presidential Spokesperson, Mr Bayo Onanuga, addressed the situation, stating that the President momentarily lost his balance after stepping on a metal object on the floor. He clarified that the incident was neither serious nor unusual and should not be exaggerated.
“The President stepped on a metal on the floor, which made him lose his balance,” Onanuga said.
“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,” he added.
The Presidency further appealed to the public to disregard attempts to dramatise the moment, stressing that President Tinubu remains physically fit and fully focused on his official responsibilities.
In a related update, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Mr Sunday Dare, confirmed via his verified X account that the President moved directly from the ceremonial reception into scheduled bilateral engagements. He noted that the President met with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and other top Turkish government officials as planned.
“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 Presidency said.
The ongoing discussions are focused on deepening diplomatic ties and boosting collaboration in strategic areas such as defence and security, trade and investment, energy, and wider economic development.
The Presidency noted that the seamless continuation of the visit reflects the strengthening relationship between Nigeria and Türkiye and highlights Nigeria’s renewed diplomatic push under President Tinubu’s administration.
What you should know
President Bola Tinubu’s visit to Türkiye is part of Nigeria’s broader diplomatic strategy to strengthen international partnerships and attract economic opportunities.
Despite online speculation following a brief stumble in Ankara, the Presidency maintains that the President is healthy and actively participating in high-level engagements.
The bilateral meetings with Turkish leadership are expected to advance cooperation in security, trade, energy, and investment, reinforcing Nigeria’s foreign policy direction under the Tinubu administration and underscoring its commitment to global engagement and economic growth.
