The Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has revealed that Turkish government officials expressed “shock” and “surprise” over the media storm generated in Nigeria following President Bola Tinubu’s brief stumble in Ankara. The incident occurred on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, during a ceremonial welcome at the Turkish Presidential Palace, where Tinubu was walking alongside President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
While the moment was widely circulated by Nigerian bloggers and news outlets, Dabiri-Erewa noted on Wednesday that their Turkish counterparts dismissed the online controversy as “silly and mischievous,” emphasizing that the visit’s historic diplomatic achievements were being overshadowed by a “fleeting incident.”
The Presidency has attributed the slip to a “poorly laid carpet” or a “metal object on the floor,” with Special Adviser Bayo Onanuga maintaining that the President merely lost his balance for a second and was never in any physical danger.
Despite the viral nature of the video, which showed security operatives quickly assisting the President, Turkish state-run media largely focused on the substance of the visit, specifically the goal of reaching a $5 billion trade target between both nations. Officials in Ankara reportedly reiterated their excitement over the “incredible success” of the state visit, which included the establishment of a joint committee to fast-track cooperation in aviation, education, and innovation.
Dabiri-Erewa’s comments were a direct response to critics on X (formerly Twitter) who pointed out that not a single Turkish TV station reported the stumble as a headline. Presidential aides have since urged Nigerians to disregard the “sensationalization” of the event, stressing that the 73-year-old leader proceeded to all scheduled bilateral meetings and a live press conference immediately after the ceremony.
For the Turkish hosts, the narrative remains centered on Nigeria’s role as a key African partner, while the “stumble row” is viewed in diplomatic circles as a minor footnote in an otherwise high-stakes international engagement.
, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has revealed that Turkish government officials expressed "shock" and "surprise" over the media storm generated in Nigeria following President Bola Tinubu’s brief stumble in Ankara. The incident occurred on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, during a ceremonial welcome at the Turkish Presidential Palace, where Tinubu was walking alongside President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.){kind=link}