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Nigerian tech entrepreneur Ezra Olubi, the co-founder and chief technology officer of Paystack, has been suspended after allegations of sexual misconduct involving a subordinate surfaced online. The claims, first shared on social media earlier this week, have also revived attention around a series of old tweets containing sexually explicit remarks about colleagues and minors.
Paystack opens investigation into misconduct, suspends Ezra
The posts, dating back more than a decade, began circulating shortly after the allegations became public, prompting wider scrutiny. Paystack confirmed the suspension in a statement, saying it was aware of the claims and had started a formal review.
“We take matters of this nature seriously,” the company said. “Effective immediately, Ezra has been suspended from all duties and responsibilities pending the outcome of a formal investigation. Out of respect for the individuals involved and to protect the integrity of the process, we will not comment further until the investigation is complete.”
The response underscores the weight of the moment. Paystack is one of Africa’s top technology firms, having become one of Y Combinator’s earliest African bets before its $200 million acquisition by Stripe in 2020. Thousands of businesses across the continent use its tools, making internal conduct issues particularly sensitive for customers, employees, and regulators.
Olubi’s old posts on X renew questions on workplace culture
Olubi, a software engineer known in Nigeria’s tech community for his unconventional style and advocacy for LGBTQ rights, co-founded Paystack with Shola Akinlade in 2015 after studying computer engineering at Babcock University. With Paystack, they built software that helped merchants accept payments, thus fueling a wave of online commerce across West Africa.
The renewed attention on Olubi’s old posts on X along with accounts shared by people claiming to have worked with him has added pressure on the company to show transparency and fairness. Several users on social media have urged Paystack to clarify workplace policies and share how it intends to address concerns about staff safety and reporting procedures.
Because of Paystack’s size and its close ties to Stripe, the investigation is likely to draw close attention from the wider tech sector. The case raises questions about how fast-growing startups set standards for senior leadership, how internal complaints are handled and what expectations employees should have regarding accountability in companies.
