Presidency downplays Tinubu’s stumble, says Türkiye visit on course

Agency Report

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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.

A video posted by Turkish digital news platform Nefes Gazetesi shows Tinubu walking alongside President Erdoğan before briefly losing balance. He was quickly assisted by the Secret Service, and the ceremony continued without disruption.

The reception began around 5:00 pm local time, featuring the playing of both nations’ anthems and a ceremonial 21-gun salute.

Following the formalities, both leaders withdrew for a closed-door bilateral meeting to discuss strategic national interests.

This marks President Tinubu’s first official visit to Türkiye, a reciprocal engagement following Erdoğan’s visit to Nigeria in October 2021 under former President Muhammadu Buhari. The visit seeks to consolidate long-standing cordial relations and explore new avenues for mutually beneficial cooperation.

Onanuga noted that the agenda will include strategic political and diplomatic discussions on shared values in finance, communication, trade, and investment. High-level officials from both countries will meet, and memoranda of understanding are expected to be signed in scientific research, energy, technical cooperation, media, military, and protocol.

A business forum is also planned to connect Nigerian and Turkish investors, unlocking opportunities for economic growth.

Senior Nigerian officials who received President Tinubu at his hotel included the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN; Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake; and Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd).