The storm whipped up in Nigeria over President Bola Tinubu’s brief stumble during his official visit to Türkiye has been rubbished outright by Turkish officials, who reportedly found the entire episode laughable.
Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, revealed this while responding to reactions on X, noting that officials in Ankara were stunned that the moment had become a talking point back home.
“Exactly. On ground here in Ankara, their officials were shocked to learn that it was an issue in Nigerian media/blogs,” she wrote.
According to Dabiri-Erewa, Turkish authorities were far more interested in the success of the visit and could not understand the fuss generated by the brief incident.
“One of them described it as ‘silly and mischievous,’ and reiterated how their country was excited about the incredible success of the visit by @officialABAT, which is all over their media here,” she added.
Backing this view, Oguntoye Opeyemi (Equityoyo) pointed out that the stumble barely registered in Türkiye’s media space.
“Not a single Turkish TV station reported the President’s accidental slip because it’s a non-issue. But Naija TV and national newspapers,” he wrote.
President Tinubu briefly lost his balance on Tuesday during a ceremonial march-past at the parade ground in Ankara while taking part in a guard of honour alongside Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The programme continued smoothly after security aides quickly assisted him.
A short clip of the moment, shared by Turkish digital platform Nefes Gazetesi and later circulated on X, went viral in Nigeria, sparking widespread commentary.
The Presidency has, however, repeatedly downplayed the incident.
The President’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, assured Nigerians that Tinubu remained in good health and proceeded with his engagements.
“President Tinubu, after a stately welcome ceremony in Ankara, proceeded to scheduled bilateral meetings with the President of Türkiye and other senior government officials,” Dare said.
Also reacting, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, insisted the episode was being exaggerated.
“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.
The reception ceremony, which featured a 21-gun salute and national anthems of both countries, was followed by a closed-door bilateral meeting between Tinubu and Erdoğan aimed at strengthening diplomatic and economic ties.
The visit, Tinubu’s first official trip to Türkiye, is focused on expanding cooperation in defence, trade, investment, energy, media and scientific research, with a business forum also lined up.
Senior Nigerian officials present included the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN); Minister of Finance, Wale Edun; Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake; and Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.).
The Presidency has urged Nigerians to look beyond the viral clip and focus on the outcomes of the visit, stressing that the President remains fully engaged in his official duties.
