Papa Ajasco Actor Reveals Decades of Low Pay and Struggles in Nollywood

Papa Ajasco Actor Reveals Decades of Low Pay and Struggles in Nollywood

Veteran Nigerian actor Abiodun Ayoyinka has opened up about the financial struggles he endured over the years despite becoming widely recognised for his role in the popular sitcom Papa Ajasco and Company.

In a recent interview, the actor disclosed that when the show began in 1997, he earned about ₦22,500 per episode, a figure that has only increased to ₦45,000 per episode today, an amount many observers say is extremely low considering his long-standing role and popularity.

The sitcom, produced by Wale Adenuga under Wale Adenuga Productions, became one of the most recognisable comedy shows in Nigeria and across parts of Africa. The character “Papa Ajasco,” known for his bald head and comic expressions, became a household name over the years.

Despite this fame, Ayoyinka said the financial rewards have been minimal.

According to him, the production schedule itself also limited his ability to pursue other opportunities. The show typically filmed about 12 episodes in a year, leaving long periods without work or stable income.

He explained that the biggest challenge was that he did not fully own the “Papa Ajasco” character, even though the public strongly associated him with it.

Because of intellectual property restrictions tied to the show, he said he could not freely use the character for other commercial engagements or performances.

This meant that while audiences identified him with the famous role, he was unable to monetise that identity outside the production.

Ayoyinka revealed that this limitation significantly affected his ability to earn income over the years.

“I was not doing anything else because I did not fully own the name ‘Papa Ajasco.’ That was what I was known for and what people wanted from me. Since I did not own the name fully, I could not accept other gigs,” he said.

The actor also disclosed that despite decades in the entertainment industry, he has not been able to achieve financial stability.

“I do not have a car of my own. I do not have a house of my own because I do not have the money,” he lamented.

His comments have sparked widespread discussion online about how veteran actors in the Nollywood are treated.

Many social media users say the situation reflects a broader problem in the industry where actors who helped build the early foundations of Nollywood often struggle financially in later years.

The revelations have reignited conversations about fair compensation, contract structures, and intellectual property rights within Nigeria’s film and television industry.

Ayoyinka is now calling on industry stakeholders and the public to support him as he tries to rebuild his career.

He said he remains open to new opportunities, whether in acting or in modern digital content such as social media skits.

“Now I am telling people to help me rebuild my career again. In acting or social media skits, I am all in for it,” he said.