The Presidency has dismissed concerns over the health of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, assuring Nigerians that the President remains hale, hearty, and fully engaged in official duties during his ongoing state visit to Türkiye.
The clarification follows widespread online reactions after a video surfaced showing President Tinubu briefly stumbling while walking on a blue carpet during a welcome reception in Ankara on Tuesday.
Presidency Explains What Happened
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Presidency explained that the incident was not health-related, attributing the brief stumble to a poorly laid carpet at the venue.
According to the statement, the President quickly regained his balance and continued with the event without any assistance or disruption.
“The incident had nothing to do with the President’s health. It was caused by an improperly laid carpet, and Mr President immediately recovered and proceeded with his schedule,” the Presidency said.
President Continues Official Engagements
The Presidency further disclosed that President Tinubu has since resumed his official engagements as planned and remains actively involved in diplomatic activities.
He is currently holding bilateral talks with Turkish authorities, discussions expected to focus on strengthening cooperation between Nigeria and Türkiye in areas such as trade, investment, defence, and infrastructure development.
The President is also expected to jointly address a press conference with Turkish officials after the high-level meetings.
Reassurance To Nigerians
Reiterating its position, the Presidency stressed that President Tinubu is in good health and high spirits, urging Nigerians to ignore what it described as unfounded speculations circulating on social media.
The statement noted that the President’s schedule remains uninterrupted, reflecting his physical fitness and continued commitment to national duties.
Context Of The Visit
President Tinubu’s visit to Türkiye forms part of Nigeria’s broader diplomatic efforts to deepen strategic partnerships and attract foreign investment, particularly in energy, manufacturing, and infrastructure sectors.
The Presidency said the state visit is progressing successfully, with several bilateral outcomes expected to benefit Nigeria’s economy and international standing.
