The controversy that trailed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s brief stumble during his official visit to Türkiye has been described as “silly” and “mischievous” by Turkish officials, according to the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa.

Dabiri-Erewa made this known on Wednesday while reacting to a post on X by Oguntoye Opeyemi (Equityoyo), who criticised the attention the incident received in Nigerian media.

“Exactly. On ground here in Ankara, their officials were shocked to learn that it was an issue in Nigerian media/blogs,” she wrote.

She explained that Turkish officials were more focused on the success of President Tinubu’s visit, noting that the stumble was considered a non-issue in Türkiye.

“One of them described it as ‘silly and mischievous,’ and reiterated how their country was excited about the incredible success of the visit by @officialABAT, which is all over their media here,” Dabiri-Erewa added.

Opeyemi also observed that Türkiye’s mainstream media did not report the incident at all.

“Not a single Turkish TV station reported the President’s accidental slip because it’s a non-issue. But Naija TV and national newspapers did,” he wrote.

President Tinubu briefly lost his balance on Tuesday during a ceremonial march-past at the parade ground in Ankara, organised to welcome him. The programme continued seamlessly after security operatives promptly assisted him.

Although a video of the moment—initially shared by Turkish digital outlet Nefes Gazetesi and later circulated on X—went viral in Nigeria, the Presidency has consistently downplayed the incident.

The President’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, said Tinubu was “hale and hearty” and proceeded with all scheduled engagements.

“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 stated.

Also reacting, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, described the episode as minor.

“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 said.

The official reception, which began around 5:00 pm local time, featured the playing of both national anthems and a 21-gun salute. It was followed by a closed-door bilateral meeting between President Tinubu and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on key strategic issues.

Tinubu’s visit—his first official trip to Türkiye—is focused on strengthening diplomatic ties and expanding cooperation in defence, trade, investment, energy, media, and scientific research. A business forum was also scheduled to connect Nigerian and Turkish investors.

Senior Nigerian officials at the event included the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN); Minister of Finance, Wale Edun; Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake; and Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.).

The Presidency has urged Nigerians to ignore attempts to sensationalise the incident, stressing that the President remains fully engaged and active in his official duties.