Abiodun Ayoyinka, widely recognized for his iconic role as Papa Ajasco, has candidly discussed the professional and financial difficulties he’s encountered because the character is trademarked.
Read more: Abiodun Ayoyinka opens up about the financial and career challenges he has faced due to his role as Papa Ajasco.In a recent conversation with podcaster Lucky Udu, Ayoyinka explained that producer Wale Adenuga holds the trademark for Papa Ajasco, which has prevented him from leveraging the character’s popularity for personal gain.
He shared that these trademark restrictions have significantly curtailed his visibility and job opportunities beyond the original show.
The main reason people don’t see me often is because Wale Adenuga trademarked that character. If anyone wants to engage me for work, they want Papa Ajasco—costume and all—but it’s not easy for me because of the trademark. That’s why you don’t see me in adverts or on billboards. It’s painful, Ayoyinka said.
I can’t use the name Papa Ajasco unless I get permission. That character has limited my chances. Even when they want me as Abiodun Ayoyinka, they still expect Papa Ajasco, and it’s difficult to separate myself from the role.
The veteran actor also spoke about the financial challenges he’s faced in recent years. He mentioned that he previously worked with the Lagos State Ministry of Arts and Culture but retired from the civil service about five years ago.
Ayoyinka reflected on how cast members were compensated per episode, rather than receiving a steady salary.
Things haven’t been easy for a long time. I used to work with Lagos State’s arts and culture department, but I’m now a retired officer. Since retiring five years ago, it’s been tough—no car, no house, constantly worrying about daily survival, he said.
Payment was per episode. Sometimes we filmed eight or nine episodes in a stretch, but the pay wasn’t much. We started with N2,500 per episode in 1997, and though it gradually increased to N3,000, N5,000, N20,000, and N25,000, it was difficult to get by on episodic payments.
Abiodun Ayoyinka is best known for his role in Papa Ajasco & Company, a beloved television series created by Wale Adenuga Productions (WAP). The show, based on a 1984 film of the same name, features a cast of memorable characters: the philandering Papa Ajasco, his patient wife Mama Ajasco, their mischievous son Bobo Ajasco, the flamboyant Boy Alinco, the gold-digging Miss Pepeiye, and the bumbling duo Pa James and Pa Jimoh.
At its height, the show was considered Nigeria’s most popular TV programme and aired weekly across twelve African countries.
