LAGOS, Nigeria – Paystack, the Stripe-backed payments giant that redefined African fintech, has suspended its co-founder and chief technology officer, Ezra Olubi, over allegations of sexual misconduct involving a subordinate. The claims emerged on social media on November 12, 2025, prompting the company to launch an immediate investigation. In a statement to TechCabal, Paystack confirmed the Paystack Ezra Olubi suspension, saying it takes such matters “extremely seriously.”
The allegation has quickly escalated, bringing to light a series of decade-old tweets from Olubi that include sexually explicit jokes about colleagues and minors. He had deactivated his X account on November 13, 2025, and has made no public statement on the matter.
An image of Ezra’s tweet making gross statements about a minor.
Paystack’s response was swift. “Paystack is aware of the allegations involving our Co-founder, Ezra Olubi,” the company said in a statement. “Effective immediately, Ezra has been suspended from all duties and responsibilities pending the outcome of a formal investigation.” The firm emphasised a commitment to fairness. “Out of respect for the individuals involved and to protect the integrity of the process, we will not be commenting further until the investigation is complete,” it added.
Resurfaced Tweets Add Fuel to the Fire
The Paystack Ezra Olubi suspension has not only spotlighted the recent allegation but also unearthed posts from 2009 to 2013. Among them are crude remarks about workplace erections, a desire to photograph a coworker’s thighs, and references to sexualised anime involving minors. One tweet from May 23, 2011, reads: “Monday will be more fun with an ‘a’ in it. Touch a coworker today. Inappropriately.” These writings, posted years before Paystack’s founding in 2015, have spread rapidly on X, intensifying calls for accountability.
An image of Ezra’s tweet, making gross statements about a co-worker.
The timing could not be more delicate for Paystack. As one of Y Combinator’s earliest African investments, the company has shaped Nigeria’s startup landscape, with alumni launching ventures in logistics and finance. Its culture, long touted as transparent and kind, now faces a litmus test. The Paystack Ezra Olubi suspension raises broader questions about how tech leaders embody those ideals, especially in high-trust environments where power imbalances can thrive unchecked.
This incident echoes a troubling pattern in African tech. In October, Kenya’s Pawa IT CEO Oscar Limoke was fined by a labour court for harassment that led to an employee’s resignation. Such cases underscore the need for robust internal processes, particularly as startups scale and attract global scrutiny.
Paystack’s probe will follow its policies. “This process is guided by our policies, our values, and our commitment to maintaining a safe and respectful environment for all employees,” the company stated. The outcome could set a precedent for how Nigeria’s fintech leaders handle misconduct claims.
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[…] Nigeria – Paystack, the Stripe-backed fintech giant, has suspended its co-founder and CTO, Ezra Olubi, following allegations of sexual misconduct involving a subordinate. The claims surfaced on social […]
[…] sexual misconduct with a junior employee. Olubi announced the Paystack Ezra Olubi termination in a blog post on November 23, 2025, saying the move happened before the company’s probe concluded. He […]
[…] sexual misconduct with a junior employee. Olubi announced the Paystack Ezra Olubi termination in a blog post on November 23, 2025, saying the move happened before the company’s probe concluded. He […]