Presidency says Tinubu “in great shape” after fall at Turkey reception

Nigeria’s presidency has sought to play down concerns about President Bola Tinubu’s health after he stumbled during a ceremonial reception in Turkey, saying the 73-year-old leader is “in great shape” and continued his official engagements as planned.

Tinubu was being received by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at a formal welcome ceremony in Ankara when the incident occurred. Video footage shared online shows Tinubu walking past a guard of honour before appearing to lose his balance and fall as he moved to his right.

The footage briefly shows aides and officials moving to assist him before the video cuts away. Less than a minute later, Tinubu is seen standing alongside Erdogan as the ceremony continues.

Presidential aide Sunday Dare said the president was unharmed and proceeded with his scheduled meetings.

“President Tinubu in great shape as state visit proceeds smoothly,” Dare wrote on X on Tuesday. “After a stately welcome ceremony in Ankara [he] proceeded to scheduled bilateral meetings with President of Turkey and other senior government officials from both countries.”

Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga said Tinubu briefly lost his balance after stepping on an object.

“The President stepped on a metal on the floor, which made him lose his balance,” Onanuga said, according to Premium Times. “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, urging the public to disregard what he described as attempts to sensationalise the episode.

Clips of the moment circulated widely on social media, reviving memories of a similar incident in June 2024, when Tinubu stumbled at a public event and later joked that observers thought he was performing a popular dance move.

Tinubu’s visit to Turkey is aimed at strengthening bilateral ties between the two countries, his office says. The presidency said the talks focus on expanding cooperation in areas including defence and security, trade and investment, energy, and broader economic development, as part of Nigeria’s renewed diplomatic outreach under Tinubu’s administration.