Wale Adenuga Refutes Papa Ajasco's Bankruptcy Claims

Wale Adenuga, noted filmmaker and the Chief Executive Officer of Wale Adenuga Productions, has reacted to statements made by actor Abiodun Ayoyinka, popularly referred to as Papa Ajasco, who alleged financial difficulties.

Ayoyinka raised eyebrows online after a video surfaced showcasing him voicing his struggles despite his long tenure on the beloved television series 'Papa Ajasco and Company.'

In the video, Ayoyinka expressed that he had been facing ongoing financial troubles for years, mentioning he does not own a vehicle or a house. He also shared that he is unable to leverage the Papa Ajasco brand for personal projects since the character is under the copyright of Wale Adenuga.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, March 18, Adenuga refuted claims of neglect, labeling the narrative surrounding Ayoyinka’s situation as “false and misleading,” and elaborated on their professional history.

“My initial reaction upon viewing the trending Papa Ajasco video was, ‘So, this actor has brought the Papa Ajasco comedy to the public forum!’ I genuinely wish him well; it seems his strategy for earning through social media is yielding results,” Adenuga remarked.

He praised Ayoyinka as a “versatile actor” who bears a striking resemblance to the character created in 1976 and stated that there have been no significant disagreements between them.

“I feel it is important to clarify the wave of misinformation, emotional opinions, and uninformed public comments spurred by his recent media appearance. I intend to address this not out of malice, but in pursuit of truth and the integrity of a legacy that has entertained millions of Nigerians for years.

Abiodun Ayoyinka is a former civil servant with the Lagos State Government, having dedicated over three decades to his service. He was once the prominent face of the state's cultural troupe, gaining the favor of past governors such as Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He retired not too long ago, and we always sought his permission for location shoots,

He closely resembles the cartoon depiction of the Papa Ajasco character, which I devised in 1976 at my dining table during my early publishing days. He is dear to me, and up until now, we have not had any irreconcilable differences.

Regarding allegations of neglect, Adenuga asserted that the production company has consistently supported Ayoyinka over the years.

“We previously provided him with a car as well as Pa James. Throughout the years, he has had access to at least five different cars, including a Mercedes-Benz. Concerning his accommodation situation, to my knowledge, he owns a house in Ogun State,” he stated.

Adenuga explained that the limitations imposed on the ‘Papa Ajasco’ brand name were necessary for brand protection but emphasized that actors are permitted to engage in other work.

“Furthermore, he has not been restricted from taking on advertising roles. As he has acknowledged, all he needs to do is seek prior approval from WAP, which is a standard brand management process,” Adenuga clarified.

Questioning Ayoyinka's assertion of being broke, he further remarked, “What is the reason behind Abiodun Ayoyinka's claim of financial hardship? Where are the investments from his more than 30 years of dedicated service with the Lagos State Government? What has happened to his retirement benefits?”

Adenuga also highlighted that other cast members, including Pa James, Mama Ajasco, Boy Alinco, Miss Pepeiye, Akpan, and Oduma, regularly perform in other projects, indicating the company does not inhibit artists from seeking external engagements.

Moreover, he mentioned that actors typically dedicate only six weeks a year to filming, allowing ample time for other activities.

“Our organization adheres to industry payment standards and ensures all financial obligations are met promptly. Therefore, any suggestion of financial neglect or exploitation by our company is completely unfounded and misleading,” he asserted.

Adenuga reiterated the firm's dedication to upholding professional relations and expressed gratitude towards the public for their concern and support.