Papa Ajasco Opens Up: “No Car, No House” — The Hard Truth Behind the Fame
By: Abudu Olalekan
Not many saw it coming. Abiodun Ayoyinka, known across Nigeria as Papa Ajasco, lives without a vehicle. His name rings loud on TV screens, yet property ownership isn’t part of his story. Hardship shaped much of what he’s walked through. Comfortable? Not quite how he’d describe decades behind the scenes.
One moment, things seemed fine. Then Ayoyinka spoke up. Talking with Lucky Udu, he shared money troubles hidden for years. Not loud. Just honest. Fame shows one face. Behind it? Security isn’t promised. That talk shifts how you see success. Makes you pause. Forces reflection.
Papa Ajasco meant growing up for many Nigerians. Laughter lived in every episode he starred in. Ayoyinka gave shape to that world, piece by piece. Yet something slips past most who watched. Ownership of the role? Not entirely his.
Ayoyinka may have brought Papa Ajasco to life through his acting, yet legal ownership sits elsewhere. Since the production firm filed a trademark, control over the role shifted out of his hands. So even though he shaped the look, sound, and mannerisms, using them now demands approval. Personal gigs, ads, sponsorships – none can move forward without clearance. The man made the character real; the business holds the rights.
“That particular character has been registered,” he explained. “Anybody that wants to use me outside usually wants the full character with everything that comes with it, but it has never been easy for me.”
There it is – the core reason behind most of his money troubles. Companies start reaching out. Labels seek the familiar face of Papa Ajasco. Yet once they see what comes along with it, everything stalls. Agreements vanish. Payments never arrive.
“That’s why you don’t see me on adverts or billboards,” Ayoyinka said plainly. “I don’t have the right to use the name unless I go and take permission.”
Truth hits hard when fame fades fast. Many performers learn the lesson late, particularly across Nigeria’s bright stages. A role might define you, live through you, yet vanish beyond reach once lights dim. Ownership slips like sand, even if your soul shaped every moment.
These days life feels different. Years back, Ayoyinka left his role at the Lagos State Council for Arts and Culture after a long stretch in public work. The paycheck he once counted on, however big or small, stopped coming around five years ago. Since then, getting by has taken more effort than before.
“Things have never been okay,” he said, his words simple but heavy. “No car in my home, no house of my own. I don’t even have a car.”
Not bitter, exactly. Not rage either. More like someone worn down, yet clear – voice steady after holding silence too long.
That’s why he speaks up. To make sure folks see behind the curtain. What people felt for him wasn’t fake. Their support came from the heart. Yet none of that buys groceries. Or fills a tank when the car is gone.
Out of nowhere, a quiet request surfaces. Those late-night chuckles sparked by one man’s creation now meet a moment of reflection. Without force or pressure, the appeal lingers simply. From somewhere deep in memory, voices rise – viewers warmed by years of humor now asked to respond. Not because they must. But because connection sometimes circles back. A lifetime poured into laughter quietly seeks its echo.
Strange how things turn out. Truth is, Nigeria sees this too often in its entertainment world. People who made us laugh, sing along, stay up late watching screens – pouring energy into performances we loved. Yet time passes. Their names fade. The spotlight moves on. What remains? Often just memories, not money. A stage once filled with noise now sits quiet behind them.
Something has got to change in how things work. Fixing the rules on ownership and fair treatment for creators can’t wait much longer. Yet even as folks debate solutions, lives are already being shaped by today’s broken setup – Ayoyinka is one of them.
Something legendary came from his hands. More than this is what he ought to have.
