Nollywood Harsh Reality: Ayoyinka Loses Millions Because He Doesn’t Own These 2 Words -

Veteran Nigerian actor Abiodun Ayoyinka, who gained widespread fame for portraying the beloved character “Papa Ajasco,” has opened up about the severe financial and career struggles he faces due to trademark restrictions that prevent him from leveraging the iconic role.

Speaking in an interview with media personality Lucky Udu, he said, “The major problem why people are not seeing me where they are supposed to see me is cause that particular character (Papa Ajasco) has been registered by Wale Adenuga and anybody that wants to use me outside with the character has never been easy on me.”

He added, “I don’t have the right to use the name Papa Ajasco unless I go and take permission. I can’t even use the costume and cause of this I have had limited opportunities because people would want to use me as Papa Ajasco and not Yinka.”

He lamented that while companies and brands are interested in working with him, they exclusively want the famous character.

“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,” he said . This restriction, he noted, is why he is absent from advertisements and billboards.

Ayoyinka, who retired about five years ago from his role with the Lagos State Government’s Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, described his life post-retirement as extremely difficult.

Despite his decades of fame, he disclosed a lack of basic assets. “Things have never been okay for years now,” he confessed. “Look at my home—I don’t have my own house. I don’t have a car”

Despite his enduring fame, he says establishing his own identity in the industry has been a constant challenge.

Ayoyinka’s comments have sparked conversations about intellectual property rights and the financial vulnerability of performers after their time in the spotlight fades .