Veteran Nigerian comic actor, Abiodun Ayoyinka, has announced a dramatic rebrand, abandoning his iconic “Papa Ajasco” identity to adopt a new stage name, “Bondu Alaska,” following a copyright dispute.
The development comes amid reports that the “Papa Ajasco” character is legally owned by Wale Adenuga Productions, limiting the actor’s ability to commercially exploit the widely recognised persona.
Ayoyinka disclosed the shift in a video shared on Instagram, explaining that the decision was driven by ongoing challenges tied to the trademark rights associated with the character.
The actor, who rose to fame through the hit TV series Papa Ajasco & Company, also revealed that he has struggled financially in recent years, partly due to restrictions on monetising the brand that defined his career.
Reacting to the controversy, media entrepreneur Wale Adenuga clarified that while Ayoyinka cannot independently use the “Papa Ajasco” name for private ventures, he remains eligible to feature in advertisements with proper authorisation.
Adenuga dismissed the actor’s earlier claims as exaggerated, describing them as a “public show of comedy,” while maintaining that their relationship remains cordial.
The rebranding marks a significant turning point for Ayoyinka, as he attempts to reinvent himself beyond one of Nigeria’s most beloved comic characters and chart a new path in his career.
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