He also produced a magazine four years later, Super Story, which also formed the name of one of the country’s greatest sitcoms. He produced Papa Ajasco (1983) and Binta My Daughter (1995) which could be said to mark his entry into television broadcasting.
The history of broadcasting in Nigeria will have chapters dedicated to an icon, one who has left an indelible mark, a consummate professional, Wale Adenuga. For close to three decades, he has shaped the Nigerian socio-cultural cum political space with his sitcoms, which cuts across different genres, yet leave the audience with a lesson and salivating for more.
A veteran movie producer, cartoonist, and entrepreneur, Wale Adenuga at a young age could be said to be destined for greatness. He was gifted and interested in arts. His foray into the art world includes acting having been inspired by the theatre troupes of Herbert Ogunde, Akin Ogunbe, and Kola Ogunmola, among others. He also showed dexterity in music and expressed this when he was at Ibadan City College. At school alongside some friends, he forms a musical group, Social Brothers Band; and they performed songs from musical icons like Sunny Ade, Ebenezer Obey, Orlando Owoh, and I. K Dairo and others. He then proceeded to King’s College, and would later go on to attend The University of Lagos, where he earned a degree in Business Administration.
Adenuga’s journey into (full-time) entertainment and broadcasting started with print. As a student, he was part of a social club and would later go on to be the chief cartoonist of the campus-based magazine. He decided to pursue a career fully after he completed his compulsory NYSC in the 70s. He also worked for his father, and he started his magazine under his watch (which was not known to his father).
The story of present-day Wale Adenuga Productions (WAP) would be incomplete without mentioning Ikebe Super. In December 1976, he launched Ikebe Super, a comic magazine to start his career. As a cartoonist, he started this to tell stories in a relaxed manner and one that would be easily understood and accepted by all. He succeeded with it and at a point was selling around 600,000 copies a month. The magazine had characters like Papa Ajasco, Mama Ajasco, Ajasco, Pa. Jimoh, Boy Alinco, and Miss Pepeiye, the characters would later be brought to life in a TV comic drama. However, with the devaluation of the Naira at the time, the cost of production increased astronomically, and also the price the magazine would be sold. Adenuga admitted that with high prices, the people had to create a scale of preference, and buying magazines was always going to be the last. The copies sold were reduced and it was no longer sustainable.
He also produced a magazine four years later, Super Story, which also formed the name of one of the country’s greatest sitcoms. He produced Papa Ajasco (1983) and Binta My Daughter (1995) which could be said to mark his entry into television broadcasting.
Super Story
“This is Super Story, A life of strife and sorrow”
For years, Super Story was the go-to sitcom in the country. Its melodious sig-tune was one everyone enjoyed (with a bit of chewing the mouth). It was at a time when terrestrial stations were the big deal and NTA was the people’s favorite. The most critical ingredients in the longevity of Super Story was the different theme it offers to the viewers, its vast array of seasoned actors, and most importantly, the life lessons viewers picked from each episode and season. In over two decades, it has had amazing titles like Oh Father! Oh Daughter!, An Eye for an Eye, No Pain No Gain, Campus Babes, One Bad Apple, Lion of Mogun, Omoye, A Blast from the Past, Omajuwa, Nnenna, A Night to Remember, Itohan (a call to action), among other great titles.
Papa Ajasco
“Papa Ajasco and Company, manufactured by Wale Adenuga……”
A spin-off from one of the episodes of Ikebe Super. All but one of the main characters in the magazine were retained, except Pa Jimoh who metamorphosed into Pa James. A comedic drama that addresses social issues through humor.
Asides from these, Wale Adenuga also produced drama series like This Life, The Babington Family, and Nnenna and Friends (a show for children).
Wale Adenuga currently owns WAP TV, PEFTI (a film institute), and Binta International School. In 2021, he themed up with NTA to bring back to life one of Nigeria’s greatest and longest-running dramas, The Village Headmaster. One which features some characters from the original version over 30 years ago.
Wale Adenuga can be described as an institution, a trailblazer, and unparalleled expertise that has shaped the broadcasting industry. He is a living legend, whose legacy will continue to inspire many for years to come.