Manny Ita
The Nigerian Presidency has moved to clear the air regarding the health of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu following a widely circulated video of him losing his balance during a ceremonial reception in Ankara, Türkiye, on Tuesday, January 27, 2026. Official statements from the presidency described the incident as a minor “fleeting” stumble caused by the President stepping on a metal object on the floor during a march-past at the Turkish Presidential Palace. Addressing the incident via his verified social media handle, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, emphasized that the President remains fit and fully engaged in his diplomatic duties. “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,” Onanuga stated.
Further reassurances were provided by the Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, who confirmed that the President is in “great shape” and continued with his itinerary immediately after the welcome formalities. Following the ceremony, President Tinubu held a private bilateral meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, where both leaders signed nine memoranda of understanding (MoUs) spanning defense, energy, and media cooperation. “President Tinubu, after a stately welcome ceremony in Ankara, proceeded to scheduled bilateral meetings with the President of Türkiye and other senior government officials,” Dare reported, noting that the visit is proceeding smoothly and remains focused on expanding trade between both nations to a target of $5 billion.
In response to the public discourse surrounding the incident, supporters of the administration, including former Southeast spokesman Denge Josef Onoh, pointed out that such missteps are common among world leaders during grueling international schedules. Onoh cited historical examples of similar occurrences involving former U.S. Presidents Gerald Ford and Barack Obama, urging Nigerians to focus on the strategic outcomes of the visit rather than “baseless propaganda.” The Presidency has maintained that the smooth progression of the state visit, including the 21-gun salute and the signing of critical accords, underscores the President’s vigor and the strengthening of Nigeria-Türkiye relations. As of Wednesday evening, the President’s scheduled meetings with Turkish business leaders and members of the Nigerian community in Ankara were confirmed to be on course.
