WAP CEO Wale Adenuga has dismissed Abiodun Ayoyinka’s (Papa Ajasco) claims of financial hardship as “false and misleading,” fueling a debate over actor welfare versus brand ownership in Nollywood.
The friction began when Ayoyinka publicly lamented his financial state, attributing his struggles to his inability to independently monetize the “Papa Ajasco” character.
The actor, whose bald head and pot-bellied gait have been a staple of Nigerian comedy for decades, expressed frustration over the restrictive nature of his contract, which he claims hindered his personal growth.
“He cannot use the copyrighted brand name Papa Ajasco for personal ventures,” Adenuga stated, emphasizing that the character is a proprietary creation dating back to his 1976 cartoon strips. “It is our duty to protect the brand from inappropriate usage that could damage its reputation.”
In a move to debunk the “struggling artist” narrative, Adenuga pointed to Ayoyinka’s professional history outside of the WAP studios. He revealed that for over 30 years, Ayoyinka maintained a stable career as a civil servant with the Lagos State Government, often serving as the face of the state’s cultural troupe.
“Abiodun Ayoyinka was a civil servant… We used to seek permission from his office anytime we needed him on location,” Adenuga noted, questioning the actor’s current financial claims. “Where are the investments from his over 30 years of meritorious service? What happened to his gratuities?”
To further dismantle the narrative of “exploitation,” the WAP boss provided a breakdown of the production schedule and corporate support provided to the actor over the years:
Work-Life Balance: Actors are required on set for only six weeks a year, leaving them 46 weeks to pursue other professional interests.
Asset Ownership: Adenuga claimed the company previously gifted the actor a vehicle and noted that, to his knowledge, Ayoyinka owns a home in Ogun State.
Advertising Rights: The producer clarified that actors are never barred from taking commercial jobs; they are simply required to seek official clearance to ensure no conflict of interest with the Papa Ajasco brand.
The veteran producer cited other cast members—including “Pa James,” “Mama Ajasco,” and “Boy Alinco”—as examples of actors who have successfully navigated the balance between their iconic roles and independent film projects.
While Adenuga maintained that his relationship with Ayoyinka remains “cordial” and free of “irreconcilable differences,” the stern tone of the statement suggests a firm line has been drawn. For WAP, the priority remains the integrity of a franchise that continues to air across NTA, STV, and WAPTV.
As the industry watches this veteran duo, the clash serves as a stark reminder of the legal boundaries in creative partnerships—and the thin line between a character’s fame and an actor’s fortune.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Wale Adenuga has dismissed Abiodun Ayoyinka’s (Papa Ajasco) claims of financial hardship as “false and misleading,” fueling a debate over actor welfare versus brand ownership in Nollywood.
The conflict highlights that the actor’s financial situation is a result of personal career management—given his dual history as a long-term civil servant and a part-time actor—rather than brand restrictions, which only require official approval to ensure the franchise’s integrity is preserved.
