Nigerian fintech company Paystack has suspended its Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer, Ezra Olubi, following allegations of sexual misconduct involving a subordinate that emerged on social media this week.
The Stripe-owned payment processing company confirmed to TechCabal that Olubi’s suspension took effect on Thursday evening, November 13, 2025, as it launches a formal investigation into the matter.
“Paystack is aware of the allegations involving our Co-founder, Ezra Olubi. We take matters of this nature extremely seriously. As of Thursday evening, November 13, 2025, Ezra has been suspended from all duties and responsibilities pending a formal investigation,” the company stated.
The allegations began circulating on Wednesday, November 12, after an individual identified as Max Obae, who reportedly had a previous relationship with Olubi, published personal grievances on social media. The post triggered widespread online discussions and drew attention to controversial tweets Olubi posted between 2009 and 2013.
The resurfaced posts contained sexually explicit remarks about colleagues, references to minors, and inappropriate workplace conduct. One tweet from May 2011 read: “Monday will be more fun with an ‘a’ in it. Touch a coworker today. Inappropriately.”
Other posts included comments such as “I judge my female friends by the sound of their pee make. Thanks to the audio in my bathroom,” and “Save water. Take a bath with your neighbour’s daughter.”
Olubi deactivated his X (formerly Twitter) account on November 13, 2025. At the time of this report, he has not issued any public statement regarding the allegations or the resurfaced tweets.
Paystack emphasized its commitment to maintaining workplace standards while the investigation proceeds. “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,” the company added.
The payment firm stated it would not provide further comments until the investigation concludes, citing respect for the individuals involved and the integrity of the process.
Founded in 2015 by Ezra Olubi and Shola Akinlade, Paystack provides online and offline payment infrastructure to businesses across Africa. The company made history in 2016 as the first Nigerian startup accepted into the prestigious Y Combinator accelerator program.
In October 2020, Paystack was acquired by global payments giant Stripe for over $200 million, marking one of the largest fintech acquisitions in Africa. The company serves tens of thousands of merchants across the continent.
The controversy surrounding Olubi has sparked renewed conversations about accountability and workplace conduct in Nigeria’s tech ecosystem, particularly given Paystack’s influential position as one of Africa’s most significant technology companies. The handling of this investigation is expected to be closely monitored across the sector.