Turkish government officials have described the controversy erupting in Nigerian media over President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s brief stumble during an official reception in Türkiye as “silly and mischievous,” according to the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa.
Dabiri-Erewa made the remarks on Wednesday in response to a post on X (formerly Twitter) by user Oguntoye Opeyemi, known as Equityoyo, who had highlighted the contrast between Nigerian media coverage and reactions on the ground in Ankara.
“Exactly. On ground here in Ankara, their officials were shocked to learn that it was an issue in Nigerian media/blogs,” she wrote, relaying the sentiments expressed by Turkish officials.
According to Dabiri-Erewa, one Turkish official described the attention given to Tinubu’s momentary loss of balance as both “silly and mischievous,” while stressing that the Nigerian president’s visit was otherwise being warmly received and widely celebrated within Türkiye.
“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,” Dabiri-Erewa added.
Opeyemi, whose original post prompted the response from Dabiri-Erewa, also noted that mainstream Turkish television and media outlets had given no coverage to the stumble, a contrast to the attention it received across Nigerian TV stations and newspapers.
The episode occurred on Tuesday during a ceremonial march-past at a parade ground in Ankara, where President Tinubu was being received by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. A video shared by Turkish digital news platform Nefes Gazetesi and later circulated on X showed Tinubu walking alongside Erdoğan before briefly losing his balance. He was quickly assisted by security operatives, and the ceremony proceeded without disruption.
Despite the footage going viral on Nigerian social media and generating debate, government officials here and in Ankara have been consistently downplaying its significance. The Presidency has repeatedly emphasised that President Tinubu remains in good health and continued with his official engagements following the incident.
In a post on his verified X handle, the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, stated: “President Tinubu, after a stately welcome ceremony in Ankara, proceeded to scheduled bilateral meetings with the President of Türkiye and other senior government officials.”
Similarly, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, characterised the moment as a trivial incident.
He explained, “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.”
Tuesday’s reception began at about 5:00 pm local time, featuring the playing of both national anthems and a ceremonial 21-gun salute. Following the formalities, Tinubu and Erdoğan held a closed-door bilateral meeting to discuss issues of strategic importance to both countries, including defence, trade, investment, and energy cooperation.
Tinubu’s state visit, his first to Türkiye, is aimed at deepening diplomatic relations and expanding cooperation across a range of sectors. On the sidelines of the trip, a business forum was also expected to convene Nigerian and Turkish investors.
Senior Nigerian officials at the reception included the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN); the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun; the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake; and the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.).
The Presidency has urged Nigerians to refrain from sensationalising the incident and to focus instead on the substantive outcomes of the visit, maintaining that the President remains fully engaged in his official duties.
