VIDEO: Tinubu falls at official welcome ceremony in Turkey 

President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday experienced a brief slip during an official welcome ceremony held in his honour at a parade ground in Türkiye.

The incident occurred as the President took part in a ceremonial march-past alongside his Turkish host, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, momentarily drawing attention before activities continued seamlessly.

Footage posted on X by Turkish digital news outlet Nefes Gazetesi captured the moment Tinubu, walking beside Erdoğan, stumbled briefly before being promptly assisted by members of the Secret Service.

The reception, which commenced around 5:00 pm local time, featured the simultaneous rendition of the Nigerian and Turkish national anthems, followed by a ceremonial 21-gun salute.

Upon the conclusion of the ceremonial formalities, both leaders proceeded into a closed-door bilateral meeting where discussions on issues of strategic national interest were expected to take place.

The visit marks Tinubu’s first official trip to the European country and comes as a reciprocal gesture following President Erdoğan’s visit to Nigeria in October 2021 during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Tinubu’s visit is aimed at strengthening the long-standing diplomatic relationship between Nigeria and Türkiye, while identifying new areas of cooperation to deepen a mutually beneficial partnership.

In a statement issued ahead of the trip, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said Nigeria and Türkiye would engage in high-level political and diplomatic talks focused on shared interests in finance, communications, trade and investment.

Onanuga added that the agenda includes meetings between senior officials of both countries and the signing of memoranda of understanding in areas such as scientific research, energy, technical cooperation, media and communications, military collaboration and protocol.

A business forum is also scheduled on the sidelines of the visit to connect Nigerian and Turkish investors and explore opportunities for mutual economic growth.

Among the senior Nigerian officials who received the President at his hotel were the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN; the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake; and the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd).

Watch video below: