‘He betrayed us,’ Wale Adenuga on sacking Papa Ajasco star

Veteran filmmaker, Wale Adenuga, has shed fresh light on the long-standing controversy surrounding the removal and eventual return of Abiodun Ayoyinka as the face of Papa Ajasco.

In an interview with The Punch, Adenuga disclosed that the actor was dropped from the role after what he described as serious misconduct, including attempts to lay claim to the brand.

According to him, Ayoyinka once organised an unauthorised tour using the Papa Ajasco name without the knowledge of the production team which amounted to a clear breach.

The situation escalated when the Nigerian Copyright Commission reportedly informed them that the actor had tried to independently register the Papa Ajasco name, despite it already being legally owned by the producers.

“That level of betrayal led to his dismissal,” Adenuga said.

The development, which had sparked widespread debate at the time, saw the actor replaced before he was later reinstated, a decision Adenuga said was driven by practicality rather than emotion.

“I understand the psychology of actors. Sometimes the most talented can also be the most difficult,” he explained.

“As a producer, you sometimes have to choose between talent and temperament.”

He admitted that despite the issues, Ayoyinka’s talent made him hard to ignore.

“Despite everything, I would still work with him because he is a good actor,” he added.

Adenuga also addressed broader concerns about the changing landscape of the entertainment industry, noting that his productions have adapted to the digital era.

“Our content is now on social media. Some productions like Akpan and Oduma are distributed primarily on YouTube, while WAPTV also has an online presence and app,” he said.

On the growing debate over royalties and actors’ welfare, the veteran producer acknowledged that the current system needs improvement but insisted the burden should not fall solely on producers.

“I agree that actors should benefit more in a structured system,” he said, backing calls for the establishment of a regulatory body to oversee the industry.

According to him, a properly structured system would ensure royalties and long-term welfare for actors, rather than leaving such responsibilities in the hands of individual producers.

“It is not the sole responsibility of producers to manage long-term welfare. A proper industry structure would ensure that everyone is taken care of,” he stated.