A dramatic and widely discussed moment took place in Rome during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s official visit to the Vatican City for the highly significant inauguration ceremony of the newly appointed Pope Leo XIV. The event was marked by an unexpected incident involving the president’s son, Seyi Tinubu, who was notably blocked by a Vatican security officer while trying to get closer to the newly inaugurated Pontiff.
Seyi Tinubu, who was included as part of the official delegation accompanying his father, attempted to approach the area where President Tinubu was exchanging greetings and pleasantries with Pope Leo XIV. Dressed sharply in a black suit that closely resembled his father’s formal attire, Seyi was seen confidently making his way toward the interaction spot. However, a plain-clothed Vatican security officer stepped in decisively and prevented him from advancing further, effectively blocking his path and limiting his access to the Pontiff.
The incident was captured on video and has since gone viral on multiple social media platforms, sparking intense conversations and debates among internet users. Comments ranged from questions about the appropriateness of Seyi’s presence at such a high-profile religious and diplomatic event, to speculation about his role and influence within the official presidential delegation.
One social media user questioned, “What is Seyi Tinubu doing there?” while another added, “In what capacity is the president’s son attending such a high-level diplomatic function?” These reactions highlighted the curiosity and skepticism surrounding the circumstances of his attendance.
Interestingly, despite being blocked earlier, later footage emerged showing Seyi Tinubu dining in what appeared to be a formal setting alongside high-ranking officials of the Roman Catholic Church. This added a new layer of intrigue to the unfolding story and suggested that Seyi’s presence at the Vatican visit was more substantial than initially perceived.
Additionally, the trip to Vatican City proved to be a politically charged occasion for President Tinubu himself, as he came face-to-face with one of his major political adversaries, Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate during the 2023 Nigerian general election. The encounter underscored the complex interplay between politics and diplomacy during international visits of such magnitude.
Below is the video capturing the viral moment when Seyi Tinubu was blocked while attempting to approach Pope Leo XIV during the inauguration ceremony at the Vatican: