President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday stumbled and fell during a welcome ceremony in Ankara, the capital of Turkey. He was walking alongside President Recep Tayyip Erdogan when the incident happened.
The Nigerian Presidency described the incident as a minor stumble of no medical consequence.
Dateline Nigeria reports that there are quite a number of incidents showing presidents, prime ministers, and other high-ranking world leaders stumbling, tripping, or falling during state functions, ceremonies, and public appearances.
The incidents show that even world leaders are human and can experience moments of clumsiness. Here are some notable incidents:
1. Bola Tinubu (Nigeria, 2026): Stumbled during a state visit to Turkey, and previously fell while boarding a motorcade for a Democracy Day celebration in June 2024.
2. Joe Biden (USA, 2021–2023): Tripped on Air Force One stairs in March 2021 and fell on stage at a U.S. Air Force Academy graduation ceremony in June 2023.
3. Emmanuel Macron (France, 2020): Tripped over a wire and fell during a factory visit.
4. Vladimir Putin (Russia, 2019): Fell on his face during a hockey game in Sochi.
5. Boris Johnson (UK, 2019): Fell into a river while trying to jump over a puddle.
6. Robert Mugabe (Zimbabwe, 2015): Fell down a staircase after addressing supporters at Harare International Airport.
7. Jacob Zuma (South Africa, 2015): Fell on his bottom while climbing a stage.
8. Barack Obama (USA, 2015): Nearly fell down Air Force One steps while disembarking
9. Fidel Castro (Cuba, 2004): Fell off a stage, breaking his knee and arm.
