Wale Adenuga Responds to Abiodun Ayoyinka’s Claims About Papa Ajasco Pay

Producer Wale Adenuga, behind Nigeria’s popular sitcom Papa Ajasco, has responded to the public discussion following actor Abiodun Ayoyinka’s revelation about his financial struggles.

Last week, Ayoyinka, who has played the iconic Papa Ajasco for nearly three decades, said in an interview with podcaster Lucky Udu that he earns forty-five thousand naira per episode, recording about thirteen episodes a year. He also mentioned that since retiring from his civil service job with the Lagos State Council for Arts and Culture five years ago, he has faced financial challenges, including not owning a car or a house. His comments quickly went viral, drawing widespread attention and concern from fans.

In his statement, Wale Adenuga MFR, Chairman and Executive Producer of Wale Adenuga Productions, called some of the online reactions “misinformation, emotional commentary, and uninformed public intervention.” He praised Ayoyinka’s talent and said their relationship remains cordial, emphasizing that there is “no irreconcilable difference” between them.

However, Adenuga disagreed with the narrative that the actor is financially struggling. He pointed out that Ayoyinka spent over thirty years as a civil servant, serving as the face of Lagos State’s cultural troupe, a position that connected him with prominent figures, including former Governor Bola Tinubu. Adenuga questioned what became of Ayoyinka’s gratuities and retirement benefits from that career.

He also addressed claims about a lack of a car or house, stating that the company provided Ayoyinka with a car and that he had used at least five vehicles over the years, including a Mercedes-Benz. Adenuga further mentioned that, to his knowledge, Ayoyinka owns a house in Ogun State.

Regarding the Papa Ajasco brand, Adenuga clarified that copyright restrictions are standard for brand protection. Actors are free to work on other projects under their own names but must get approval to use the Papa Ajasco character for commercial purposes. Other cast members, such as Pa James, Mama Ajasco, Boy Alinco, Miss Pepeiye, Akpan, and Oduma, regularly appear in projects under their personal names without issues.

Adenuga also explained that the cast only works on set for six weeks each year, during which enough episodes are recorded to air for twelve months. This schedule, he argued, allows actors time to pursue additional income opportunities.

He concluded the statement by firmly denying any exploitation, saying the organisation pays according to industry standards and meets all financial obligations on time.

“Any narrative suggesting financial abandonment or exploitation by our organisation is entirely false and misleading,” Adenuga said.

The conversation has reignited discussions about compensation for veteran actors, post-retirement opportunities, and fairness in Nigeria’s entertainment industry.