What became a major talking point in Nigerian media during President Bola Tinubu’s official visit to Türkiye has been described by Turkish officials as “silly and mischievous,” according to Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission.
Speaking on Wednesday, Dabiri-Erewa said the officials she spoke with in Ankara were surprised to learn that a brief stumble by President Tinubu had caused a stir back home. “Exactly.
On ground here in Ankara, their officials were shocked to learn that it was an issue in Nigerian media/blogs,” she said.
One Turkish official reportedly called the coverage “silly and mischievous,” emphasizing that the focus in Türkiye was on the visit’s success rather than a fleeting misstep.
A Moment That Went Largely Unnoticed in Türkiye
The incident occurred on Tuesday during a ceremonial march-past at a parade ground in Ankara.
As President Tinubu joined the guard of honour, he briefly stumbled while walking alongside Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Security personnel quickly assisted him, and the ceremony continued without disruption.
A video captured by Turkish digital outlet Nefes Gazetesi circulated online, showing the moment, but according to Nigerian observers on the ground, no mainstream Turkish media reported the incident.
Social media commentator Oguntoye Opeyemi noted, “Not a single Turkish TV station reported the President’s accidental slip because it’s a non-issue.
But Naija TV and national newspapers…”
Presidency Downplays the Incident
Back home, the Presidency has sought to calm any concerns about the stumble.
Sunday Dare, the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, reassured Nigerians that Tinubu remained “hale and hearty” and continued his official engagements immediately after the ceremony.
Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, described the incident as minor, explaining that 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.”
Tinubu’s Historic First Visit to Türkiye
Despite the minor mishap, the visit itself was historic and focused on strengthening Nigeria-Türkiye relations.
Tuesday’s reception began at about 5:00 pm local time with the playing of both national anthems, a ceremonial 21-gun salute, and a guard of honour.
President Tinubu later held a closed-door bilateral meeting with President Erdoğan to discuss strategic cooperation across defence, trade, investment, energy, media, and scientific research.
A business forum was also planned to connect Nigerian and Turkish investors.
High-Level Nigerian Delegation Joins the Visit
The President was accompanied by several senior Nigerian officials, including the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN); Minister of Finance, Wale Edun; Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake; and Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.).
According to the Presidency, the focus remains on the substantive achievements of the visit rather than the brief incident that briefly captured headlines in Nigeria.
Presidency Urges Calm and Focus on Diplomacy
Dabiri-Erewa and other officials have urged Nigerians to ignore attempts to sensationalize the stumble.
The message is clear: President Tinubu remains fully engaged in his official duties, and the visit is being widely celebrated in Türkiye as a diplomatic success.
The brief moment of imbalance has been turned into a lesson on perspective—highlighting how a small incident at home can be magnified, while abroad the focus remains on constructive engagement and national interests.
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