In a significant development shaking Nigeria's technology sector, Paystack has taken decisive action against one of its founding members. The prominent payments company, owned by global fintech giant Stripe, has suspended its co-founder and Chief Technology Officer Ezra Olubi following serious allegations of sexual misconduct.
Immediate Suspension and Investigation
Paystack confirmed the suspension of Ezra Olubi to TechCabal after allegations surfaced on social media platforms on Wednesday, November 12, 2025. The company has initiated a formal investigation into the matter, which involves claims of inappropriate behavior with a subordinate employee.
In an official statement, Paystack declared: "Paystack is aware of the allegations involving our Co-founder, Ezra Olubi. We take matters of this nature extremely seriously. Effective immediately, Ezra has been suspended from all duties and responsibilities pending the outcome of a formal investigation."
Resurfaced Tweets Add Fuel to Controversy
The allegations have triggered renewed scrutiny of Olubi's social media history, particularly tweets posted between 2009 and 2013. These decade-old posts contain sexually explicit remarks that reference colleagues, minors, and workplace contexts.
Among the concerning content is a tweet from May 23, 2011, which stated: "Monday will be more fun with an 'a' in it. Touch a coworker today. Inappropriately." Screenshots of these tweets began circulating widely on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, November 13, 2025, drawing significant criticism from the online community.
Olubi has not publicly addressed either the misconduct allegations or the resurfaced tweets. Instead, he deactivated his X account on Wednesday, November 13, 2025, as the controversy gained momentum.
Broader Implications for Africa's Tech Ecosystem
This incident occurs during a period of increased scrutiny regarding workplace conduct within Africa's technology industry. Just last month, Oscar Limoke, CEO of Kenyan IT firm Pawa IT Solutions, faced legal consequences after sexual harassment and assault allegations led to an employee's resignation.
Paystack, founded in 2015, represents one of Africa's most successful technology startups. The company was among the first African ventures backed by prestigious accelerator Y Combinator, and its $200 million acquisition by Stripe in 2020 remains one of the continent's landmark technology exits.
The company has emphasized its commitment to a thorough review process, stating: "In line with our internal policies, we have established a fair, transparent, and structured review process to conduct a thorough investigation. This process is guided by our policies, our values, and our commitment to maintaining a safe and respectful environment for all employees."
Paystack has indicated it will refrain from further comments until the investigation concludes, citing respect for all parties involved and the need to maintain the integrity of the review process.
