‘This isn’t Nigeria’those were the unspoken rules enforced by Vatican security during a brief but telling moment involving Seyi Tinubu, son of Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, at the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV on Sunday.
During the high-profile event in Vatican City, Tinubu was seen exchanging pleasantries with the newly inaugurated Pontiff when Seyi attempted to approach him.
Dressed in a black suit like his father, Seyi moved toward the president, likely to join or support him, but was calmly intercepted and redirected by a plainclothes Vatican security officer.
The moment, caught on video and now circulating widely online, has drawn attention both for its symbolism and its implications.
Back home, Seyi Tinubu is known to wield considerable influence within political and business circles. But in the tightly controlled environment of the Vatican, protocol took precedence over status.
The event also featured another notable moment: Tinubu’s encounter with Peter Obi, one of his main rivals in the 2023 election. Obi, who finished third, had defeated Tinubu in Lagos his traditional political base since the return of democracy in 1999.
While the political undercurrents of the visit were closely watched, the encounter between Seyi Tinubu and the Pope’s security team has become a key highlight of the trip, sparking conversations about power, privilege, and boundaries on the global stage.
