Veteran Nigerian comic actor Abiodun Ayoyinka has announced a major shift in his career, revealing that he is abandoning his long-associated “Papa Ajasco” persona amid an ongoing trademark dispute.
The actor disclosed that he will now perform under a new stage name, “Bondu Alaska.”
In a video shared on Instagram, Ayoyinka explained that the decision followed challenges linked to the commercial rights of the “Papa Ajasco” brand.
The trademark is owned by Wale Adenuga through his production company, which has limited the actor’s ability to independently exploit the character for business purposes.
According to Ayoyinka, restrictions tied to the trademark have prevented him from fully monetising the popular role, a situation he said has contributed to financial struggles in recent years.
Responding to the claims, Adenuga clarified that while the actor cannot independently use the “Papa Ajasco” brand for private ventures, he remains eligible to feature in commercials with the company’s approval.
He described Ayoyinka’s earlier remarks as a “public show of comedy” and a fabrication of the truth, stating that the claims were exaggerated.
Despite the disagreement, Adenuga maintained that his relationship with Ayoyinka remains cordial.
Ayoyinka rose to prominence through his role in the popular television series Papa Ajasco & Company, a spin-off of Adenuga’s 1984 film that gained widespread recognition among audiences.
