Ade Adepitan MBE

Having survived polio as a youngster, Ade Adepitan went on to compete as a wheelchair basketball player on an international level and is an instantly recognisable elite sports personality. An exceptional public speaker and live host, he delivers motivational speeches to schools, charities and businesses around the world.

Born in Lagos Nigeria and raised in East London, Ade contracted the virus at just 15 months old and began to lose the use of his legs. At three years old his parents migrated with him to the UK where he went on to succeed as an international Paralympic wheelchair basketball player and renowned broadcaster.

Never one to hold back, Ade Adepitan's work has taken him across the globe; most recently to Kenya as part of the BBC's Our Changing Planet, charting our worlds most threatened ecosystems. He also went undercover with C4's Dispatches, reporting foreign affairs for Unreported World and fronting the groundbreaking BBC Two Series, Climate Change: Ade on the Frontline. Filmed during the pandemic, Ade meets the people and places around the globe who have been directly affected by climate change.

Ade is a well-respected co-host on Children in Need's annual live appeal show. He has hosted countless sporting events including his BAFTA ward wining coverage of the 2012 Paralympics on C4 co-hosted with Clare Balding. An Olympics that changed the course of history for people's attitudes towards disabled people, not just in sport.

In a personal documentary for C4, Ade Adepitan: Journey of my Lifetime, Ade returned to his birthplace Lagos to investigate Nigeria's polio endemic. Picked up by the Sunday Times, Ade's story left viewers inspired including support on Twitter from Bill Gates, who invited Ade to speak at the Global Vaccine Summit: We Changed History in 2020, when Africa officially declared Nigeria free from wild poliovirus. A milestone that see's Ade continue to work alongside the Global Polio Eradication Initiative to end polio virus globally.

Ade's personal sporting achievements include a Bronze in The Athens Paralympics, Silver in the European Championships and Gold in The World Championships. Ade received an MBE in 2005 and was awarded Honorary Doctorate from Loughborough University in 2006 and the University of East London in 2010.

Ade Adepitan has released four children's books all based on stories from his own childhood, as a Nigerian kid with a disability growing up in East London during the '80's. His debut book series follows a superhero character called Cyborg Cat, and they call centre around the same messaging "We can all be superheroes, no matter who we are or where we're from." 100% of the proceeds from Ade's second book were donated to Children in Need.

Ade Adepitan has undertaken many high profile public speaking engagements including the launch of the 2012 Olympic bid at the Royal Opera House alongside Tony Blair.

He works extensively in the UK giving motivational speeches to schools, charities and businesses including The Royal Mail, BUPA, NSPCC, BAA, Lloyds TSB and BT.

Surviving childhood polio has gifted Ade Adepitan with the tools to uplift his audience on subjects such as triumphing over adversity, success, peak performance and teamwork.

In his motivational speeches, Ade describes how a couple of physiotherapists spotted him in a supermarket one day and asked him if he'd like to go to the Junior Wheelchair Games. Ade was so inspired by the players he met that day, the wheelchair ceased to be an obstacle to sport.

Ade also talks about being hugely motivated by his parents' ambition in bringing him to England and opening up new possibilities. It taught him not to accept unnecessary boundaries. He often uses television as a platform to campaign against racism and disability discrimination.

Ade's energy and enthusiasm comes through in everything he does, making him an ideal motivational speaker at conferences and events.

Clients often ask about purchasing books for giveaways and delegate packs. Below you’ll find a selection of products by Ade Adepitan MBE. Click the images to view on Amazon's website. For bulk orders, please speak with your Booking Agent.