President Bola Ahmed Tinubu briefly stumbled during a ceremonial reception parade held in his honour upon his arrival in Türkiye on Tuesday, sparking momentary concern before the event continued without disruption.
The incident occurred as the President joined the guard of honour at the official welcome ceremony. Security operatives around him quickly assisted, and Tinubu regained his balance almost immediately, allowing proceedings to resume after a brief distraction.
Following the circulation of video clips of the moment on social media, the Presidency moved to allay public concerns, assuring Nigerians that the President is in good health and fully engaged in his official duties.
According to the Presidency, the stumble was not health-related but was caused by a poorly laid blue carpet at the venue, which led to the President’s brief loss of balance during the reception in Ankara.
“The President immediately recovered and continued with his schedule,” the Presidency noted, dismissing speculations and health-related claims that trended online after the video surfaced.
Since the minor mishap, President Tinubu has continued with activities lined up for his state visit, including bilateral talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Discussions are expected to focus on trade, security, investment and regional cooperation.
The visit will also feature the signing of several memoranda of understanding between Nigeria and Türkiye, alongside other high-level official engagements. President Tinubu is further expected to jointly address a press conference with his Turkish counterpart at the conclusion of the meetings.
President Tinubu arrived in Ankara on Monday as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen diplomatic and economic relations between Nigeria and Türkiye.