Kayode Olasehinde

EARLY LIFE

Kayode Olasehinde was born on 4 June 1957 in Lagos (Isale Eko area) and hails from Patako in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State. He was the first child in a family of six. His early years were marked by economic hardship. He attended primary school. He sat for entrance to Oke-Ede (or Oke Ode) Grammar School but could not complete secondary education because his parents could not afford the fees. He worked various jobs, including as a houseboy/helper for families, selling items (handkerchiefs, lighters, pants, cement), and later as a labourer at UTC Hardware in Apapa, Lagos. He also learnt printing. These experiences of struggle shaped his resilience.

CAREER

Olasehinde began acting in the mid-to-late 1970s. He joined the late Olanrewaju Ali Theatre Group around 1976–1978 while still working at UTC Hardware. He later moved to the Emulewu Theatre Group (around 1982), where he was given the name “Ajirebi.” He was discovered through stage work, including a play titled Mo ti K’owo Soke at NTA 10. Combining theatre with his day job eventually cost him the UTC position when he overstayed on location. His major breakthrough came when Wale Adenuga cast him as Pa James in the long-running family comedy series Papa Ajasco and Company (Wale Adenuga Productions). The role of the crafty, funny, semi-literate elderly character made him a household name across Nigeria and brought greater popularity than his earlier Yoruba film work. He has continued to appear in the series over many years (production is now less frequent). He has also featured in Super Story and numerous Yoruba Nollywood films, often playing comedic elderly roles. Notable credits include films such as Ogbologbo (and sequels, 2003), The Vendor (2018), and many others. He is known for exaggerated facial expressions and professional comic timing in elderly-man characters. He has produced films as well. In recent interviews, he noted that the “Pa James” name is trademarked by the production company, so he cannot use it in other projects, and that side hustles are necessary due to irregular shooting schedules. Early pay on Papa Ajasco was low (around ₦2,500 per episode); it has increased over time. The role enabled him to buy his first car and build more stability.

PERSONAL LIFE

He is married to Iya Samuel, whom he met on a movie location years ago when she visited her sister (an actress). The couple has been married for decades and has three sons: Samuel Olasehinde (also known as Samuel Ajirebi — a lawyer and actor who graduated from Obafemi Awolowo University), Tobi Olasehinde (studied History and International Relations at the University of Ilorin), and Bolaji Anuoluwapo Olasehinde. His son Samuel has described him as a no-nonsense, principled, calm, quiet, and straightforward person at home — the opposite of his comical on-screen persona. He is not particularly extroverted, prefers staying indoors, enjoys listening to radio news, likes pounded yam and pap/tea, and rarely attends parties unless working as a compere. He is contented, hates lies, dishonesty, and wastage, and has stayed largely free of public scandals. He places strong emphasis on education for his children. The family has faced recurring flooding challenges at their home in the Oke Isagun community (Oke Odo area) of Lagos over many years, leading to property damage and temporary displacement. In the past, colleagues including Funke Akindele provided support with housing assistance after flooding incidents.

Pa James remains one of the recognizable comic legends of Yoruba Nollywood and Nigerian television comedy. He is regarded as a model of longevity and professionalism — popular yet conservative, focused on craft rather than showmanship. He has spoken about the need for better distribution of benefits in the Yoruba film genre and improved technical standards. In recent years he has stayed active on social media, sharing personal content (including cooking videos that drew public concern and his light-hearted response that cooking is a hobby). He continues to work in film and television when opportunities arise and is remembered fondly for bringing laughter across generations through Papa Ajasco and his many comic portrayals.