President Bola Ahmed Tinubu experienced a brief physical stumble on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, during an official reception in the Turkish capital. The incident occurred as the Nigerian leader was conducting an inspection of the guard of honor alongside Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
While walking, President Tinubu appeared to lose his footing momentarily. However, security personnel and diplomatic officials stationed nearby intervened immediately, assisting him back to a steady position before the ceremony continued as planned.
Strengthening Nigeria-Türkiye Ties
Despite the brief interruption, the focus of the state visit remains on deepening the strategic partnership between Abuja and Ankara. President Tinubu is in the country to explore fresh avenues for cooperation across several vital sectors.
Key areas of the bilateral discussions include:
- Trade & Investment: Expanding economic exchange and identifying new markets for Nigerian and Turkish goods.
- National Security: Collaborating on defense strategies and regional stability.
- Regional Cooperation: Strengthening diplomatic ties within West Africa and the Middle East.
The high-level engagement is expected to culminate in the signing of multiple Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), solidifying agreements that have been in development over the past year.
A Recurring Incident
Tuesday’s stumble marks the second public slip for the President since he took office in 2023. The first notable incident took place in Abuja during the 2024 Democracy Day festivities at Eagle Square. On that occasion, the President tripped while boarding a ceremonial vehicle but recovered instantly to continue the proceedings.
At the time, President Tinubu addressed the incident with humor, famously referring to the slip as a “swagger” and a nod to his cultural roots, jokingly comparing the fall to a traditional Yoruba greeting known as dobale.
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