Papa Ajasco Rebrands as Bondu Alaska After Trademark Dispute with Wale Adenuga Productions

Veteran Nollywood comic actor Abiodun Richard Ayoyinka has officially dropped the Papa Ajasco name and reintroduced himself as Bondu Alaska. In a video posted to his Instagram account on March 21, 2026, Ayoyinka opened by saying "Good morning Nigerians... I want to use this medium to thank all Nigerians," then declared, "Bondu Alaska, the one and only Bondu Alaska," framing the change as a fresh start and promising to continue entertaining fans.

The move follows a long-running trademark arrangement. Wale Adenuga Productions owns the copyright and trademark for the Papa Ajasco character, and Ayoyinka is not permitted to use that name for endorsements, side gigs, or personal branding outside of WAP projects. That restriction has limited his ability to monetize decades of fame, a central factor behind the rebrand.

Earlier in March, Ayoyinka publicly discussed his earnings, saying he earned as little as ₦2,500 per episode at his peak and that current pay is around ₦45,000, with filming often inconsistent, sometimes only once a year or with gaps of two years. He also said he did not own a house or car despite his long-running role, comments that prompted public sympathy and wider debate about actor welfare.

Wale Adenuga responded to those claims by saying Ayoyinka has benefited over the years, noting that he owns a house in Ogun State and has had multiple cars, including a Mercedes-Benz, and that payments were in line with industry standards. While no single pay dispute directly triggered the name change, the limits imposed by the trademark and the resulting financial constraints are cited as the core reasons for the shift.

Reaction on social media has been mixed. Viral post on social media show some fans mourning Papa Ajasco as a childhood icon, others celebrating the new Bondu Alaska persona with posts such as "Bondu Alaska loading!", and many using the moment to discuss character ownership and actor rights. Memes and support messages have underscored public interest in Ayoyinka's next steps.

In his announcement Ayoyinka described himself as a "new person" and assured viewers he would not let them down, signaling that the rebrand is intended as both a practical response to legal limits and a renewed commitment to his craft.