A severe rainstorm battered Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State’s capital, on Saturday, April 26, 2025, causing widespread destruction to homes, businesses, and public infrastructure. The two-hour downpour, accompanied by violent winds, uprooted electrical poles, toppled telecommunication masts, and ripped rooftops off buildings, leaving hundreds homeless and losses estimated in millions of naira. Governor Biodun Oyebanji described the disaster as “massive and traumatizing” during an assessment tour of affected areas, which included Oke-Ori Omi, Odo Are Much, Bank Road, and Fajuyi Area.
Governor Oyebanji, represented by Deputy Governor Monisade Afuye, assured residents of swift government intervention alongside the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). Teams have begun enumerating losses to facilitate targeted aid, with priority given to worst-hit zones like Okesa and Odo Ado, where homes and businesses suffered partial or total collapse. The governor emphasized that no lives were lost but urged federal authorities to treat the incident as a national emergency due to its scale and displacement toll.
Local leaders, including Ado North LCDA Chairman Tokunbo Gbadamosi, appealed for calm, urging residents to avoid panic while awaiting relief. The state government advised homeowners to maintain buildings regularly and plant trees as windbreakers to mitigate future storm damage. Traditional rulers joined officials in assessing the devastation, reinforcing community solidarity in recovery efforts.
The disaster underscores the vulnerability of urban infrastructure to extreme weather, highlighting the urgent need for proactive disaster management and climate resilience strategies. Authorities stress that rebuilding efforts must prioritize reinforced structures and early warning systems to safeguard residents against recurring threats.
