The brief fall of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during a reception parade in Türkiye briefly shifted attention, reminding Nigerians that even the highest office is occupied by a human being.
Tinubu, the 73-year-old president of Nigeria, experienced a fall during an official welcoming ceremony by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara. The incident occurred after Tinubu walked past a line of soldiers and dignitaries, during which he stumbled and fell to the ground. 
An official video shared on Erdogan’s X (Twitter) account later showed an aerial footage of the scene as attendees promptly assisted the fallen president. Approximately 45 seconds after the fall, both leaders were recorded standing together, meaning that the show did go on despite the fall.
This trip to Türkiye is part of Nigeria’s diplomatic efforts to enhance its relationship with Turkey, particularly focusing on trade, investment, and defense. Since taking office, Tinubu has engaged in various international travels aimed at fostering strong ties between Nigeria and other nations globally.
Following the fall, officials quickly helped Tinubu back on his feet, and the ceremony proceeded seamlessly. This is not the first time the president has stumbled in public; a previous fall in June 2024 was met with humor from Tinubu, who lightheartedly referenced the incident as reminiscent of a popular dance move.
At that time, the fall was termed a “mild misstep” by his aides, and it garnered sympathy from national figures, including opposition leader Atiku Abubakar, who called it an “unfortunate incident.”
His aides told BBC news that he is currently doing fine.
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