Nigerian fintech giant Paystack has terminated the employment of its co-founder and chief technology officer, Ezra Olubi, following public allegations of sexual misconduct. The dramatic firing marks a significant escalation in a controversy that erupted in mid-November when social media posts alleging abusive behaviour by Olubi went viral, prompting users to resurface a series of explicit tweets dating back to 2009 – 2013.
The company announced the termination on Saturday, November 22, 2025, moving swiftly despite having earlier stated it would conduct an independent investigation into the allegations. Paystack had previously indicated it was hiring an external independent investigator to look into the allegations of sexual misconduct levelled against Ezra, yet the firing came before that investigation was concluded.
The resurfaced material includes sexually explicit jokes and remarks that many described as predatory. The controversy began in mid-November when a social media post alleging abusive behaviour by Olubi went viral and prompted users to resurface a series of explicit tweets from earlier in his career. The allegations also included claims that Olubi had sexual relations with a junior employee.
The timing of the termination raises significant questions about due process at the company. Paystack appears to have decided to strip Ezra of his position in a bid to protect their brand name and send a strong signal that the organisation is very much interested in how the conduct of employees, both within and outside the organisation, affects its reputation.
Olubi Challenges the Firing, Declares Decision “Unfair”
In response, Olubi has pushed back forcefully against what he characterises as an unjust termination. Ezra Olubi has stated that the decision to relieve him of his duties at the company, where he played a pivotal role in helping the organisation attain its enviable heights, is unfair.
In a detailed blog post, Olubi stated that his appointment had been terminated over the weekend, without any fair hearing or due process having been followed. He emphasised that the decision contravened the established procedures and Paystack’s own policies.
“On Saturday, 22 November 2025, I was informed that my employment had been terminated. This decision was taken before the supposed investigation was concluded, and without any meeting, hearing, or opportunity for me to respond to the issues raised, in clear contravention of the terms of the suspension and Paystack’s own internal policies,” Olubi stated.
Olubi further emphasised his role in establishing the company’s internal systems: “As co-founder, technical leader and long-serving Board member, I have been part of instituting the systems and processes that underpin Paystack’s internal operations. I engaged with this investigation in good faith and cooperated fully with the Board’s directives on that basis.”
Legal Action Looms
Rather than accepting the termination quietly, Olubi has engaged legal representation to challenge the decision. He declared that his legal team would review the termination process and its consistency with internal policies, and that they would take appropriate steps.
“My legal team is now reviewing the process that led to my purported termination, including its consistency with internal policies. They will take the steps they consider appropriate, and I will not be commenting further on this matter at this time,” he wrote.
Legal experts suggest that the outcome may hinge significantly on the terms of Olubi’s employment contract following Stripe’s acquisition of Paystack in 2020. The details of any stay-back clauses, shareholding provisions, and board positions could prove crucial in determining Olubi’s leverage in any potential legal proceedings.
The case has renewed calls for stronger workplace accountability across Africa’s fast-growing tech sector, where several high-profile misconduct allegations have forced companies to confront governance and culture issues. However, it remains to be seen whether Olubi’s legal challenge will succeed or if his termination will stand.
As of publication, Paystack and its parent company, Stripe, have not issued further public statements in response to Olubi’s blog post.
Madukwe B. Nwabuisi is an accomplished journalist renown for his fearless reporting style and extensive expertise in the field. He is an investigative journalist, who has established himself as a kamikaze reporter.
