For millions across Africa, the name ‘Papa Ajasco’ evokes instant laughter and nostalgia.

Yet, for the man behind the iconic, bald-headed character, Abiodun Ayoyinka, the role has become a golden cage.

In a harrowing interview with media personality Lucky Udu, the veteran actor has laid bare the painful reality of a life defined by a character he does not legally own, revealing that fame has not translated into financial stability.

The core of Ayoyinka’s struggle lies in the rigid intellectual property rights held by producer Wale Adenuga.

Because the identity, mannerisms, and even the costume of Papa Ajasco are registered to Wale Adenuga Productions, Ayoyinka finds himself professionally paralysed.

While corporate brands frequently approach him for endorsements, they almost always demand the "Papa Ajasco" persona, a persona he is legally forbidden to use without express permission.

“The major problem is that particular character has been registered by Wale Adenuga. Anybody that wants to use me outside wants me with the character, with everything that I have, but it has never been easy for me,” Ayoyinka lamented.

He explained that the barrier extends to the very basics of his performance identity. “I don’t have the right. I can’t use the name Papa Ajasco unless I go and take permission. I can’t even use the costume,” he said.

The actor revealed that the public’s obsession with the character has effectively erased "Abiodun Ayoyinka" from the casting pool. Producers and fans alike are so conditioned to see the slapstick, bald-headed figure that they struggle to accept him in any other capacity.

“Because that character is very strong, they want to see me as Papa, dress like Papa, look like Papa. It is always difficult for me to do it,” he added.

The revelation of his financial distress is perhaps the most shocking aspect of his story. Despite a long and distinguished career that included a stint with the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Ayoyinka says he has been left with almost nothing since his retirement five years ago.

“Things have never been okay for years now. I retired five years ago, and it has never been easy for me to move around and connect with people. I’m always thinking every day. Look at my home; I don’t have my own house. I don’t have a car,” he confessed, visibly shaken.

Ayoyinka’s plight has reignited a heated debate within the Nigerian entertainment industry regarding the welfare of veteran actors and the fairness of contract structures that leave performers without ownership of their own professional legacies. As fans rally to support the man who brought them decades of joy, his story serves as a stark reminder of the often-cruel disparity between public fame and private survival.

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