The Nigerian presidency has moved quickly to reassure the public after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu briefly fell during an official reception ceremony in Turkey.
President Tinubu, 73, was being formally welcomed by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in the capital, Ankara, when the incident occurred. Official footage released by the Turkish presidency shows the Nigerian leader completing an inspection of a guard of honour before appearing to lose his balance and fall as he stepped to the side.
The video briefly cuts away as aides and officials rushed to assist him. Less than a minute later, President Tinubu is seen back on his feet, standing alongside President Erdoğan, appearing composed and uninjured.
An aide to the Nigerian president, speaking to the BBC on condition of anonymity, confirmed that President Tinubu was “very fine” following the fall and immediately proceeded to a scheduled bilateral meeting with his Turkish counterpart. No injuries were reported, and the presidency emphasized that the president remained fully engaged in his official duties.
Clips of the moment have since circulated widely on social media, drawing public attention both in Nigeria and abroad. While some users expressed concern, others pointed to the president’s quick recovery as reassurance of his well-being.
This is not the first time President Tinubu has experienced a public stumble. In June 2024, he fell during a public event in Nigeria, later making light of the incident by joking that observers thought he was performing a popular dance move. That earlier fall was described by aides as a “mild misstep” and prompted widespread sympathy, including from opposition leader Atiku Abubakar, who called it an unfortunate but human moment. Former senator Shehu Sani also remarked at the time that such incidents showed the president was no different from any other person.
According to a statement from the Nigerian presidency, President Tinubu’s visit to Turkey is focused on strengthening diplomatic and economic ties between the two countries, building on what officials describe as long-standing cordial relations.
President Tinubu has been in office since 2023, after winning Nigeria’s presidential election. Officials insist the latest incident has had no impact on his schedule or the objectives of his visit.
Reporting by Ehud Jones.
