Ade Adepitan was born on 27 March 1973 in Lagos, Nigeria. He is the son of Nigerian parents (names not widely published). As a baby he contracted polio, which left him with mobility impairments. At age three, he moved with his family to East London, where he grew up.

He was educated in London and developed a passion for sport, particularly wheelchair basketball. He went on to represent Great Britain and won a bronze medal at the 2004 Paralympics. His sporting success later helped him transition into broadcasting.

Adepitan began his television career in the early 2000s, first appearing as an actor before becoming a presenter. He gained recognition presenting sports coverage and later moved into documentaries and travel programmes.

He is a regular presenter of The Travel Show on BBC News and BBC Two, and has hosted documentaries such as Africa with Ade Adepitan and Climate Change: Ade on the Frontline.

Adepitan lives in the UK with his wife, Linda and children, balancing his broadcasting career with charity work and advocacy for disability rights.