Paystack, the Stripe-owned Nigerian payments startup, has suspended its co-founder and Chief Technology Officer, Ezra Olubi, following allegations of sexual misconduct involving a subordinate. Ezra Olubi has been a prominent figure in the tech industry, making this suspension particularly notable.
The suspension, announced on November 12, 2025, comes as the company opens a formal investigation into the claims. These claims first surfaced on social media, attracting significant attention to Ezra Olubi and the company.
In a statement, Paystack said, “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.” The company added that it would refrain from further comment until the process is complete. They cited respect for those involved and the integrity of the investigation.
The allegations have reignited scrutiny of Ezra Olubi’s decade-old tweets, posted between 2009 and 2013. These tweets contained sexually explicit jokes about colleagues, minors, and sexualized anime characters. These resurfaced posts have intensified public debate about workplace boundaries. Additionally, it raised questions about the responsibilities of senior leaders in Africa’s tech ecosystem. Olubi has not publicly addressed the allegations and deactivated his X account on November 13.
The development comes amid broader concerns about misconduct in African tech leadership. Just last month, Oscar Limoke, CEO of Kenya’s Pawa IT Solutions, was fined by a labor court over sexual harassment and assault allegations. Paystack’s case is particularly significant given its size and influence. It also has close ties to Stripe, which acquired the company in 2020 for $200 million—one of Africa’s largest tech exits.
Founded in 2015, Paystack has been a trailblazer in fintech. Its alumni are launching startups across logistics and financial infrastructure. Ezra Olubi’s leadership has been a significant driving force in this success. Its handling of this investigation will be closely watched. This raises questions about governance, accountability, and how value-driven companies enforce workplace standards.
Paystack reiterated its commitment to transparency and fairness, stating: “In line with our internal policies, we have established a fair, transparent, and structured review process guided by our values and our commitment to maintaining a safe and respectful environment for all employees.”
This remains a developing story, with Stripe yet to issue a comment.
