Wale Adenuga Clears Air on Papa Ajasco Controversy

Veteran producer Wale Adenuga MFR has addressed the recent controversy surrounding Abiodun Ayoyinka, the actor famous for portraying the iconic Papa Ajasco character in the long-running comedy series.

NaijaChoice News reports that Adenuga issued a detailed statement clearing the air on claims made by Ayoyinka in a viral interview that sparked widespread public reactions and misinformation online.

In the trending video interview conducted earlier this month with media personality Lucky Udu, Ayoyinka lamented his financial struggles. The 65-year-old actor stated he owns no house or car of his own, earns only ₦45,000 per episode currently (compared to ₦22,500 in 1997), and cannot use the “Papa Ajasco” name for personal deals or endorsements without permission because the character is trademarked by Wale Adenuga Productions (WAP). He described life as difficult despite decades in entertainment and his retirement from the Lagos State Council for Arts and Culture about five years ago.

Reacting to the wave of emotional commentary and public interventions, Adenuga emphasized his initial positive impression of Ayoyinka taking the character into public spaces via social media content. He commended Ayoyinka’s versatility and close resemblance to the original cartoon version he created in 1976.

Adenuga described Ayoyinka as a long-time close associate with no irreconcilable differences between them. He highlighted Ayoyinka’s over three-decade career as a civil servant with the Lagos State Government, where he served as the face of the state’s cultural troupe and earned recognition from leaders including Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu during his governorship and subsequent administrations. Permissions were routinely sought from his office for shoots during that period.

On assets, Adenuga noted that WAP once provided a car to Ayoyinka (and similarly to Pa James), and the actor has used at least five vehicles, including a Mercedes-Benz, over time. To the best of his knowledge, Ayoyinka owns a house in Ogun State.

Adenuga stressed the need to protect the copyrighted “Papa Ajasco” brand from inappropriate usage that could harm its reputation. He clarified that Ayoyinka is not barred from accepting advertisement jobs or other opportunities; official approval from WAP is simply required as part of standard brand protection measures.

He questioned the narrative of being broke, asking about investments from Ayoyinka’s lengthy civil service career, including gratuities and retirement benefits.

Adenuga pointed out that other WAP artistes like Pa James, Mama Ajasco, Boy Alinco, Miss Pepeiye, Akpan, and Oduma regularly take on film roles under their personal names without restrictions. Production schedules for the series involve only about six weeks of shooting annually, yielding enough episodes to air throughout the year, leaving ample time for personal projects.

The award-winning “Papa Ajasco and Company” continues to air on platforms including NTA Network, STV Network, WAPTV Network, terrestrial and cable channels, and YouTube via waptvchannel.

Adenuga reaffirmed Wale Adenuga Productions’ reputation for maintaining cordial relationships with artistes and crew, paying according to industry standards, and fulfilling all financial obligations promptly. He dismissed any suggestions of exploitation or abandonment as false and misleading.

The statement concluded with appreciation for viewers’ concerns and support, signed by Wale Adenuga, MFR, as Chairman/Executive Producer of Wale Adenuga Productions.

This development follows intense online discussions about veteran actors’ welfare in the Nigerian entertainment industry, with many calling for better support systems for long-serving talents.