Tagging along with his father, President Bola Tinubu, Nigeria’s first son Seyi, was blocked from shaking hands with the newly elected Roman Catholic Church Pope Leo XIV inside the Vatican.

The younger Mr Tinubu could only watch as his father was accorded the courtesy.

While two senior clerics led the Nigerian president to greet the new pontiff, a protocol official ensured the younger Mr Tinubu did not get close enough to have a papal handshake.

The Nigerian president was invited with other world leaders to attend the “solemn mass marking the beginning of the Pontificate of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, the 267th Bishop of Rome and the new leader of the Roman Catholic Church”.

An X user, @Vonapochi, said,  “Seyi Tinubu has done it again, another national embarrassment on the world stage.

“At the Pope’s inauguration, while bishops and ministers followed protocol, Seyi forced his way to the front like an entitled child. He wasn’t on the official list, yet tried to shake the Pope’s hand and was blocked by security.”

Since his father assumed office, the younger Mr Tinubu has been accused of loafing.