Nollywood actress Bolatito Sowowunmi, who previously played ‘Miss Pepeiye,’ the popular sitcom Papa Ajasco and Company, has addressed the ongoing controversy surrounding the series.
She stated this week on Facebook that she will not criticise Wale Adenuga Productions, the creators of the show, while clarifying issues about the use of the character ‘Miss Pepeiye’.
Sowowunmi said the production company created opportunities that helped many creatives gain visibility, adding that the focus should not be on assigning blame.
“They have done their part by creating a platform for creatives, It’s noble and appreciated. This is not the time for blame games. Everyone is pushing and doing their bit to survive. Especially in a country like Nigeria, where every thing seems hard,” she stated.
The actress also addressed questions about ownership of her character’s name, explaining that she does not have rights to ‘Miss Pepeiye’, as it belongs to the production company.
“Miss Pepeiye is not mine is a copyright brand name of Characters registered ® under Wale Adenuga Productions. Anyone playing that role at the time , will have access to the name during the period of service in all,” she added.
Her comments come amid ongoing conversations about financial struggles and rights within Nigeria’s entertainment industry, particularly involving the veteran Nigerian comic actor Abiodun Ayoyinka “Papa Ajasco” and producer Wale Adenuga.
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The Nigerian comic actor Abiodun Ayoyinka widely known for his portrayal of Papa Ajasco has announced a major career shift, dropping his long standing identity and adopting a new stage name, “Bondu Alaska,” amid ongoing disputes over the character’s trademark.
“Ladies and gentlemen, good morning, Nigerians. My name is Bondu Alaska, the one and only.
Ayoyinka disclosed the change via a video shared on Instagram, revealing his decision to rebrand following challenges tied to the commercial use of the “Papa Ajasco” name, which is owned by producer Wale Adenuga.
The development comes after the actor recently stated that he has been unable to fully monetise the widely recognised character due to trademark restrictions held by Wale Adenuga Productions.
“I want to use this medium to thank all Nigerians; they have done a lot for me in my life. I am a new person now. I promise I will not let you down,” he said in the video, which went viral on Sunday.
Ayoyinka also opened up about personal struggles, noting that he has faced financial difficulties in recent years.
In response, Adenuga dismissed the actor’s claims as “misleading, unfounded and untrue.”
He clarified that while the actor cannot independently use the “Papa Ajasco” brand for private business ventures, he is still permitted to feature in advertisements with the approval of Wale Adenuga Productions.
Ayoyinka had previously stated in an interview with media personality Lucky Udu that restrictions tied to the Papa Ajasco brand limited his access to endorsement deals, film roles and public appearances, as he could not use the character outside its original platform.
Adenuga maintained that he shares a cordial relationship with Ayoyinka, describing him as a versatile performer who closely embodied the original Papa Ajasco cartoon character.
He noted that the actor had successfully played the role for many years and benefited from consistent support during his time on the show.
According to him, Ayoyinka was provided with various forms of assistance by the production company, including vehicles such as a Mercedes-Benz.
The sitcom Papa Ajasco and Company, created by Adenuga, was one of Nigeria’s most popular television programmes in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
The producer dismissed Ayoyinka’s earlier claims as a “public show of comedy” and a distortion of facts, suggesting the actor may be using social media narratives for financial gain.
Despite the disagreement, Adenuga maintained that his relationship with Ayoyinka remains cordial.
Ayoyinka rose to prominence through his role in the long running television series “Papa Ajasco & Company,” an offshoot of the 1984 film of the same name created and directed by Adenuga.
