Nigerian Actor Pa James: My First Car Came From Papa Ajasco

After a quarter-century playing one of Nigerian television's most beloved characters, actor Kayode Olasehinde wants fans to know the truth about his journey with "Papa Ajasco and Company."

The 25-year veteran of the popular sitcom recently spoke out after his co-star Abiodun Ayoyinka (who plays Papa Ajasco) claimed the show's pay was poor. Olasehinde painted a very different picture of his experience with creator Wale Adenuga Productions.

"The thing I got from playing that role wasn't small," Olasehinde shared on the Lucky Udu Experience podcast. He revealed that his first car, a Nissan Bluebird, came directly from earnings on the show.

The production company even offered actors car loans with flexible payment plans. "When I work, they deduct the car payment from my pay," he explained, adding that he repaid his loan in just three installments.

But beyond material gains, Olasehinde emphasized something more valuable: respect and reliability. "They didn't owe us money," he said. "Anything we do, we get paid."

He recalled that even five-minute meetings earned compensation. This consistent treatment over two and a half decades built trust that money alone couldn't buy.

The Bright Side

Olasehinde's gratitude offers a refreshing perspective in an industry where financial disputes often overshadow creative achievements. He attributes recent earning declines not to unfair pay, but to changes in how the show distributes content.

In earlier years, frequent shooting schedules meant regular work. Now, with the production company running its own channel (WAP TV) instead of partnering with multiple stations, recording sessions happen less often. Actors might record ten episodes and then wait up to two years before the next call.

The show gave Olasehinde more than a paycheck. It gave him a name that became part of Nigerian pop culture. Though he can act in other productions, the character "Pa James" legally belongs to Wale Adenuga Productions, a testament to the brand's value.

For an actor who thought his first role would last three weeks, 25 years of steady work, fair treatment, and national recognition tells a story of opportunity well seized.

His message to fans is clear: success isn't always measured by wealth, but by consistency, respect, and doors opened along the way.