Papa Ajasco income can’t pay bills, side hustle essential – Pa James

Kayode Olasehinde, the Nigerian actor better known as Pa James, has shared details about his working relationship with Wale Adenuga, the executive producer of the TV series ‘Papa Ajasco and Company’.

In a recent interview with podcaster Lucky Udu, Olasehinde, who portrays the character Pa James in Papa Ajasco, revealed that he continues to work with Adenuga and credited the role with elevating his career.

“I still work with Wale Adenuga. He has been good to me. Working with him gave me popularity even more than when I was in Yoruba movies. On the money aspect, he really tried for me,” he said.

“I bought my first car when I started working with him. Before, we used to work back-to-back, but now, once we shoot some episodes, they might not call us again for two years.”

Given the inconsistent production schedule of the sitcom, Olasehinde advised that actors should have alternative sources of income, noting that the long gaps between shoots make financial stability difficult.

“To work with him now, you must have a side hustle so that you can pay your bills. I can work in other movies, but I must not bear Pa James because the name has been trademarked. When I first started working with Wale Adenuga, I was paid N2,500 per episode. Right now, it is N45,000 per episode, and it’s about 10 episodes a year’,” he added.

Pa James’ comments come less than a week after Abiodun Ayoyinka, the lead actor who plays the title character ‘Papa Ajasco’, revealed that he is facing financial difficulties.

Ayoyinka alleged that Wale Adenuga Productions (WAP) restricts him from commercially benefiting from the Papa Ajasco persona outside the original production, limiting his income opportunities, and he appealed to the public for financial support.

In response, Adenuga stated that Ayoyinka is permitted to take on advertising roles with WAP’s approval.

He dismissed the actor’s career struggle remarks as a “public show of comedy” and a distortion of facts, suggesting Ayoyinka was using social media to generate income.

Adenuga also questioned the claims of financial hardship given Ayoyinka’s long career in the civil service and his continued opportunities in the entertainment industry.