Paystack, the Stripe-owned Nigerian fintech, has suspended its co-founder and chief technology officer, Ezra Olubi, following allegations of sexual misconduct involving a subordinate. The allegation first surfaced on social media on November 12, 2025, quickly gaining traction and prompting intense scrutiny of both Olubi and the company. Paystack confirmed the suspension and said it has launched a formal internal investigation into the claims.
Details of the Allegations and Suspension
In a statement shared with media outlets, Paystack said it is “aware of the allegations” involving Olubi and stressed that it takes “matters of this nature extremely seriously.” The company said Olubi has been suspended from all duties and responsibilities with immediate effect, pending the outcome of a formal review process led under its internal policies and values. Paystack added that, out of respect for the individuals involved and to preserve the integrity of the investigation, it will not comment further until the process is complete.
Resurfaced Tweets Intensify Public Scrutiny
Alongside the allegation, a wave of outrage has been fueled by the resurfacing of dozens of Olubi’s tweets posted between 2009 and 2013, which contain sexually explicit jokes and comments about colleagues, minors, and sexualized anime characters. One widely shared tweet from 2011 encourages readers to “touch a coworker today, inappropriately,” while others describe erections during meetings and references to photographing a coworker’s thighs. Screenshots of additional posts, including disturbing remarks that online critics say allude to sexual activity involving animals and minors, have circulated heavily even after Olubi deactivated his X account on November 13, 2025.
Echoes of Previous Misconduct Cases in African Tech
The incident is unfolding in an ecosystem that has increasingly been forced to confront workplace misconduct by senior leaders. In recent years, multiple African tech executives have faced investigations or public backlash over allegations of harassment, abuse of power, or toxic workplace cultures, prompting louder calls for robust governance and clearer accountability. Observers note that the Olubi case will likely become another reference point in debates about how quickly and transparently African tech companies respond when allegations involve founders or C-level executives.
Paystack’s Influence and Reputational Stakes
Paystack is widely regarded as one of Africa’s most influential technology companies, having joined Y Combinator in 2016 and later been acquired by Stripe in a landmark $200 million deal in 2020. Its alumni network stretches across fintech, logistics, and financial infrastructure, and the company has itself moved into investing, including leading a consortium to acquire Nigerian fintech Brass, which raises the stakes of any reputational damage. For many in the ecosystem, the way Paystack and Stripe handle this investigation will be watched as a test of governance standards in high-trust, founder-led companies that publicly emphasize values such as transparency, kindness, and a safe workplace.
At the time of writing, Olubi has not publicly addressed either the misconduct allegation or the resurfaced tweets, and neither Paystack nor Stripe has provided further details beyond confirming the investigation. The episode has already triggered intense debate online about workplace boundaries, power dynamics, and what the ecosystem should reasonably expect from leaders whose companies shape access to capital, talent, and opportunity. As the formal review proceeds, Paystack’s stated commitment to a “fair, transparent, and structured” process will be measured against public expectations, with the outcome likely to influence how future misconduct allegations involving high-profile African tech figures are perceived and handled.
Source: Techcabal