The Presidency has downplayed concerns over President Bola Tinubu’s brief stumble during an official welcome ceremony in Ankara, Turkey, assuring Nigerians that the President remains in good health and carried on with his scheduled engagements.
A short video that circulated online on Tuesday showed Tinubu momentarily losing his balance while walking alongside Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at the ceremony marking the start of his state visit.
In the clip, the Nigerian leader appeared to miss a step, prompting nearby officials to move in quickly to assist. Tinubu was helped back on his feet and proceeded with the programme shortly afterward without further incident.
Reacting to the development, the Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, dismissed any cause for concern, stating that the President was fine.
“The President is currently addressing the press; he is fine,” Bwala said.
Also commenting, the Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, said Tinubu was in “great shape” and continued his official activities as planned.
In a post on X, Dare said the President, after the ceremonial welcome, went on to hold bilateral meetings with President Erdoğan and other senior officials from both Nigeria and Turkey.
“President Tinubu, after a stately welcome ceremony in Ankara, proceeded to scheduled bilateral meetings with the President of Turkey and other senior government officials from both countries,” Dare wrote.
The Presidency stressed that the visit, part of Nigeria’s ongoing diplomatic engagements with Turkey, proceeded smoothly despite the brief incident.
