Quote from Oladosun Joshua Segun on March 18, 2026, 7:15 PM

In response to actor Abiodun Ayoyinka's allegations of financial hardship, Wale Adenuga speaks out, challenging his broken story and refuting any exploitation by Wale Adenuga Productions.

The producer of "Papa Ajasco," one of Nigeria's most popular sitcoms, Wale Adenuga, has addressed the public outcry that followed actor Abiodun Ayoyinka's disclosure of his financial difficulties due to his meager pay for playing the well-known Papa Ajasco.

In a conversation with podcaster Lucky Udu last week, Ayoyinka, who has played the pot-bellied, wrapper-wearing Papa Ajasco for almost thirty years, revealed the truth about his financial situation. He said that he only records about 12 episodes annually, earning little per episode. He also said that things have not been easy since he retired from his public service position with the Lagos State Council for Arts and Culture five years ago. He claimed not to own a car or a home.

https://youtu.be/zD7g6kyMQgg?si=Kzi-inp9_KZbKz7E

Nigerians who grew up watching the show were deeply affected by the interview, and the outpouring of concern swiftly went viral.

In response to what he describes as "misinformation, emotional commentary, and uninformed public intervention" brought on by Ayoyinka's interview, Wale Adenuga MFR, Chairman and Executive Producer of Wale Adenuga Productions, has now released a statement.

Adenuga described Ayoyinka as having the closest likeness to the Papa Ajasco cartoon character he developed in 1976, lauded the actor's talent, and stressed that their connection stays friendly. There has been "no irreconcilable difference" between them, he affirmed.

Adenuga, however, forcefully refuted the poverty narrative. He emphasized that Ayoyinka worked for the Lagos State Government for more than 30 years as a civil servant. He even served as the state's cultural troupe's spokesperson, a position that allowed him to interact with notable people like then-Governor Bola Tinubu. Adenuga wondered what would happen to Ayoyinka's retirement perks and gratuity from his lengthy employment.

"Now, the question is: why is Abiodun Ayoyinka claiming to be broke? Where are the investments from his over 30 years of meritorious service with the Lagos State Government? What happened to his gratuities?”

Regarding the car claim, Adenuga stated that the actor had used at least five cars over the years, including a Mercedes-Benz, and that his firm had given Ayoyinka a car at one point, just as they had for co-star Pa James. To the best of his knowledge, he added, Ayoyinka has a home in Ogun State.

Adenuga acknowledged the copyright limitations on the Papa Ajasco brand but presented them as standard brand protection, pointing out that Ayoyinka is free to work on advertisements under his own name as long as he gets WAP's formal approval before using the Papa Ajasco character for commercial purposes. Other cast members, such as Pa James, Mama Ajasco, Boy Alinco, Miss Pepeiye, Akpan, and Oduma, frequently appear on movie sets under their own names without any problems, he continued.

"He cannot use the copyrighted brand name Papa Ajasco for personal ventures because it is our duty to protect the brand from inappropriate usage that could damage its reputation", he stated.

Adenuga further clarified the production schedule, stating that the performers have plenty of time to seek other sources of income because they are only on set for six weeks out of the year, at which time enough episodes are recorded to last a full year.

Adenuga firmly denied any exploitation in the statement's conclusion, stating that his company pays in accordance with industry norms and fulfills all financial commitments on time.

He concluded by saying, "Any narrative suggesting financial abandonment or exploitation by our organization is entirely false and misleading."

The continuing discussion has sparked a more thorough investigation of pay in Nigeria's entertainment sector, veterans' treatment, and post-retirement employment prospects.