Veteran Nigerian filmmaker and media executive, Wale Adenuga, has dismissed claims by actor Abiodun Ayoyinka, popularly known as Papa Ajasco, that he is financially broke, describing the assertion as false, misleading, and unsupported by facts.
Adenuga, who is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Wale Adenuga Productions, made the clarification in a statement issued on Wednesday, following widespread public reactions to Ayoyinka’s recent interview in which he alleged financial hardship despite his decades-long role in the television comedy series Papa Ajasco and Company.
The producer said the narrative circulating online has created a distorted picture of his relationship with the actor and the operational structure of the long-running franchise, stressing that Ayoyinka has neither been abandoned nor restricted from earning a living outside the production.
Reacting directly to the interview, Adenuga said he initially viewed the episode as a creative attempt by the actor to monetise his popularity on social media. He noted that there has been no serious disagreement between them and described Ayoyinka as a versatile performer who closely resembles the original Papa Ajasco character he created in 1976.
“Candidly, I want to address the wave of misinformation, emotional commentary, and uninformed public intervention that has followed his recent media interview. I am doing this not with malice, but in the interest of truth, transparency, and the integrity of a legacy that has entertained millions of Nigerians for decades,” Adenuga said.
Providing background on Ayoyinka’s professional life, Adenuga explained that the actor spent over 30 years as a civil servant with the Lagos State government, where he was also a prominent member of the state’s cultural troupe.
According to him, Ayoyinka’s public service career meant the production company often had to seek official permission from his office whenever he was required on set.
He added that Ayoyinka’s role in the state cultural troupe brought him into close contact with several political leaders, including Bola Ahmed Tinubu, during his tenure as Lagos State governor, and that the actor only retired from public service relatively recently.
Addressing allegations of neglect, Adenuga said the production company had consistently supported Ayoyinka over the years. He disclosed that the actor had been given a car at one point, similar to other cast members such as Pa James, and had used multiple vehicles, including a Mercedes-Benz. He further stated that, to his knowledge, Ayoyinka owns a house in Ogun State.
On the issue of brand usage, Adenuga clarified that Ayoyinka has not been barred from accepting advertising or endorsement deals. He explained that the only requirement is to obtain official approval when the Papa Ajasco brand name is involved, as part of efforts to protect the intellectual property and reputation of the franchise.
“He cannot use the copyrighted brand name Papa Ajasco for personal ventures without approval because it is our responsibility to protect the brand from inappropriate usage,” he said, adding that this policy applies uniformly and does not prevent actors from pursuing other income-generating opportunities.
Questioning the claim of financial hardship, Adenuga asked why Ayoyinka would describe himself as broke after decades of public service, querying the status of his gratuities and investments accumulated over the years.
He also noted that other cast members, including Pa James, Mama Ajasco, Boy Alinco, Miss Pepeiye, Akpan, and Oduma, regularly feature in independent productions, stressing that actors typically spend only about six weeks annually on set, leaving ample time for other ventures.
Adenuga reaffirmed his commitment to maintaining professional relationships and thanked the public for its concern, insisting that any suggestion of financial exploitation or abandonment by his organisation is entirely false and misleading.
