Paystack Co-Founder Suspended Following Serious Allegations
Nigerian payments company Paystack has taken decisive action against one of its top executives amid growing controversy. The company suspended its co-founder and Chief Technology Officer, Ezra Olubi, after serious allegations of sexual misconduct surfaced online.
The crisis began on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, when accusations started circulating widely across social media platforms. Paystack, which is owned by global payments giant Stripe, confirmed the suspension in an official statement released that same evening.
Company Response and Investigation
In their statement, Paystack emphasized their serious approach to the matter. "Effective immediately, Ezra has been suspended from all duties and responsibilities" pending the outcome of a formal investigation, the company declared.
The payments firm explained that Olubi will not perform any company duties or represent Paystack during the investigation process. They added that they would refrain from further comments until the review is complete, citing respect for involved individuals and the need to maintain investigation integrity.
Resurfaced Tweets Worsen Controversy
The situation escalated dramatically on Thursday when dozens of Olubi's old tweets from between 2009 and 2013 resurfaced online. These posts, written over a decade ago, contained sexually explicit content that raised serious concerns.
Among the problematic tweets were sexually inappropriate references to minors, colleagues, and anime characters. One post from 2011 joked about having an erection during a meeting, while another described wanting to secretly photograph a colleague's thighs.
These screenshots spread rapidly across social media, triggering widespread public outrage and demands for accountability. In response to the growing controversy, Olubi deactivated his X account on Wednesday, November 12, and has not made any public statements addressing the allegations.
Broader Implications for African Tech Ecosystem
This incident occurs during a critical period for the African technology sector, which has been confronting multiple cases of misconduct involving senior executives. Just last month, a Kenyan court fined Oscar Limoke, CEO of Pawa IT Solutions, for sexual harassment and assault in a case that forced a staff member to resign.
Paystack remains one of Africa's most influential tech companies. Founded in 2015, it achieved landmark status as one of the first African startups backed by Y Combinator. Its 2020 acquisition by Stripe for $200 million still ranks among the continent's most significant exits.
Due to Paystack's substantial reputation, size, and deep connections to Stripe, the investigation is being closely monitored across the tech industry. The controversy has sparked important conversations about leadership accountability, corporate governance in high-trust technology companies, and how organizations enforce professional standards when senior executives are involved.
Paystack assured stakeholders that their investigation would follow a clear and transparent review process based on internal policies and values. The company reiterated its commitment to maintaining a safe and respectful workplace environment.
Stripe, Paystack's parent company, has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the suspension and ongoing investigation.
