Paystack Fires Co-Founder Ezra Olubi Over Sexual Misconduct Allegations as Old Explicit Tweets Resurface

The African tech ecosystem was thrown into shockwaves on November 22, 2025, after Paystack—one of Nigeria’s most celebrated fintech success stories—officially terminated its co-founder, Ezra Olubi, over sexual misconduct allegations involving a female subordinate.

What began as an internal suspension barely a week earlier has now spiraled into one of the most dramatic leadership collapses in the industry’s recent history. For a company that once symbolized the promise of African innovation following its 2020 acquisition by Stripe, this scandal has shaken both the organization and the broader fintech world to its core.

Ezra’s fall from grace did not arrive overnight. It began quietly on November 14, when Paystack’s management placed him on administrative suspension pending investigation into what internal documents describe as “serious sexual misconduct concerns.” The allegations, according to multiple sources, revolve around inappropriate advances and boundary violations involving a junior staff member who worked directly under his supervision.

While the company tried to keep the situation contained, social media storms began brewing almost immediately. Screenshots, anonymous X threads, and speculation spread online like wildfire, prompting Paystack’s leadership to accelerate their internal review process.

Matters escalated dramatically when old tweets from 2009 to 2013 surfaced—posts filled with sexually explicit jokes, fetish references, and shock-value statements that critics say reinforced the pattern described in the allegations.

The timing could not have been worse for Ezra. In a digital era where past online behavior is often weaponized, the years-old tweets resurfaced like buried explosives, igniting public outrage and intensifying pressure on the company to act swiftly. While many agreed the decade-old posts should not alone determine a man’s fate, others argued they painted a disturbing picture when combined with the recent accusations.

On November 22, Paystack announced Ezra Olubi’s termination.

The official statement was sterile—just a few lines citing policy violations and “actions inconsistent with Paystack’s leadership standards”—but the internal effect was seismic. Staff described an atmosphere thick with anxiety, disappointment, and disbelief. Some employees felt betrayed, struggling to reconcile the allegations with the persona of a co-founder long admired for his brilliance and eccentricity. Others admitted privately that the company had no choice, fearing that anything short of decisive action would damage Paystack’s global credibility, especially under the watch of its parent company, Stripe.

But Ezra Olubi wasn’t going down quietly.

Hours after news of his sacking hit the internet, he published a lengthy, intensely personal blog post titled “Due Process or Due Punishment?” In it, he condemned Paystack’s decision, calling his dismissal “procedurally flawed,” “premature,” and “a breach of the company’s own investigative framework.” He claimed he was fired without a formal hearing, without a chance to defend himself before an ethics panel, and without access to the evidence being used against him. His post framed the entire situation as a rush to judgment, fueled not by facts but by online pressure, internal panic, and what he described as “corporate overcorrection.”

Ezra also disclosed that his legal team has begun reviewing the termination process for a potential challenge, raising the possibility of a court battle that could expose internal details Paystack would prefer to keep behind closed doors. Whether this becomes a landmark employment case or fizzles into private arbitration remains to be seen, but for now, the public fallout grows louder by the hour.

Across African tech circles, reactions have been emotionally charged and sharply divided. Many applauded Paystack for prioritizing workplace safety and taking a firm stance on misconduct, especially in an industry where abuses of power often go unreported. Feminist groups and workplace advocacy networks hailed the move as a “necessary precedent” and a warning to male leaders who believe their status shields them from accountability.

Others, however, expressed discomfort with the speed and opacity of the process. They argued that allegations should be investigated thoroughly before life-altering decisions are made. Some tech veterans called Paystack’s actions “corporate panic,” while others quietly admitted that Stripe’s presence likely influenced the swiftness of the termination. When Silicon Valley standards collide with African workplace culture, the fallout is often unpredictable—and sometimes ruthless.

The situation has also exposed fragile truths about the African fintech ecosystem. A startling number of the continent’s celebrated founders operate within loosely regulated environments where charisma, innovation, and early success often mask deep structural flaws. Startups that scaled too quickly now face scrutiny for the kind of internal culture they fostered along the way. With Paystack being one of the continent’s biggest tech exports, the scandal has ignited conversations about power dynamics, boundary enforcement, HR autonomy, and the pressures that come with global visibility.

For a company valued at hundreds of millions and trusted with the financial data of millions of Africans, reputational damage is costly. Paystack has already begun reinforcing its internal crisis-management protocols. Insiders say Stripe has activated its own compliance teams to ensure the scandal does not escalate into a regulatory or investor confidence crisis. The episode is already being analysed in business schools, HR conferences, and entrepreneurship forums as a case study in how modern corporate giants handle misconduct allegations in a hyper-digital age.

Meanwhile, Ezra Olubi’s public image is undergoing the most dramatic reshaping of his career. Once celebrated for his unconventional fashion, bold personality, and trailblazing success, he now faces the hardest reputational battle of his life. Supporters say he deserves a fair hearing. Critics say this is the consequence of unchecked power and a digital footprint that never forgets. His future in fintech is uncertain; his influence, once magnetic, now hangs in the balance.

What remains clear is that this saga is far from over. More statements will emerge. More documents may leak. More voices—both sympathetic and damning—will join the conversation. And as legal teams square up behind the scenes, Paystack must brace itself for a storm that touches not just its leadership image, but the trust of millions of users who believed the company was built on discipline, transparency, and safety.

This is the kind of story that reshapes an industry. One that forces difficult conversations. One that reminds the world that even the brightest tech success stories have shadows.