Turkish Authorities Dismiss Nigerian Media Focus on Tinubu's Brief Stumble During Ankara Visit
President Bola Tinubu's momentary loss of balance during an official ceremony in Ankara, Türkiye, has sparked contrasting reactions between Nigerian media and Turkish officials. The incident, which occurred on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, during a ceremonial march-past alongside Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, was quickly dismissed by Ankara's authorities as insignificant.
Turkish Officials Express Surprise at Nigerian Media Coverage
Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, revealed that Turkish officials were genuinely surprised that the brief stumble became a talking point in Nigerian media. "On ground here in Ankara, their officials were shocked to learn that it was an issue in Nigerian media and blogs," she stated in response to social media commentary about the incident.
Dabiri-Erewa further explained that one Turkish official described the media coverage as "silly and mischievous", emphasizing that Türkiye was instead celebrating the overall success of President Tinubu's diplomatic visit. The official reportedly highlighted how Turkish media was focused on the positive outcomes of the bilateral discussions rather than the momentary physical incident.
Presidency Maintains Focus on Diplomatic Achievements
The Nigerian Presidency consistently downplayed the stumble, with multiple officials emphasizing President Tinubu's continued good health and active engagement in official duties. Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, confirmed that the President remained "hale and hearty" throughout his visit and proceeded with all scheduled bilateral meetings.
Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, provided context for the incident, explaining that "the President stepped on a metal on the floor, which made him lose his balance." He characterized it as "a mere stumble, thank God, not a fall" and suggested that only those seeking to create controversy would focus on such a fleeting moment.
Contrasting Media Approaches Between Nations
Notably, the incident received minimal attention in Turkish mainstream media, with no major television stations reporting on what they considered a non-issue. This stands in stark contrast to the coverage in Nigerian media outlets, where the brief stumble became a viral topic of discussion.
The video of the incident, originally shared by Turkish digital news platform Nefes Gazetesi and later circulated on social media, showed security operatives quickly assisting President Tinubu before the ceremony continued without further disruption.
Diplomatic Visit Focused on Strengthening Bilateral Relations
President Tinubu's visit to Türkiye marked his first official trip to the country and was designed to strengthen diplomatic relations across multiple sectors. The bilateral discussions between Tinubu and Erdoğan focused on expanding cooperation in several key areas:
- Defense and security partnerships
- Trade and investment opportunities
- Energy sector collaboration
- Media and scientific research exchanges
The visit included a ceremonial reception featuring both national anthems and a 21-gun salute, followed by closed-door strategic meetings between the two leaders. A business forum was also organized to connect Nigerian and Turkish investors, highlighting the economic focus of the diplomatic mission.
High-Level Nigerian Delegation Accompanies President
President Tinubu was accompanied by a substantial delegation of senior Nigerian officials, demonstrating the importance placed on the bilateral discussions. The delegation included:
- Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN)
- Minister of Finance, Wale Edun
- Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake
- Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.)
The Presidency has urged Nigerians to disregard attempts to sensationalize the brief stumble, maintaining that the President remained fully engaged in his official duties throughout the visit. The focus, according to both Nigerian and Turkish officials, should remain on the substantive achievements and strengthened relations resulting from the diplomatic mission.
