Former Paystack CTO Ezra Olubi Challenges Termination, Cites Procedural Concerns

Ezra Olubi, the Co-Founder and former Chief Technology Officer of Nigerian fintech giant Paystack, has publicly challenged his recent termination, claiming it was carried out prematurely and in violation of the company’s internal policies. His statement was released on November 24, 2025.

Olubi’s dismissal followed a suspension imposed by Paystack’s Board of Directors after his name became linked to sexual misconduct allegations circulating online. The company, which was acquired by global payments firm Stripe in 2020, had earlier announced an independent investigation into the matter.

The controversy emerged around November 12, 2025, when claims of sexual misconduct allegedly involving a subordinate began spreading on social media. The situation intensified when a series of old, sexually explicit tweets from Olubi, dating between 2009 and 2013, resurfaced online, sparking public criticism and raising questions about accountability within the fintech sector.

In response, the Paystack Board suspended Olubi from all duties on or around November 14, 2025, pending a formal investigation. At the time, the company emphasized that it takes such issues “extremely seriously” and declined further comment to preserve the integrity of the process.

In his first public response since the suspension, Olubi stated he was notified of his termination on November 22, 2025. He asserts that the decision was made “before the supposed investigation was concluded, and without any meeting, hearing, or opportunity for me to respond to the issues raised.”

Olubi described the action as a “clear contravention of the terms of the suspension and Paystack’s own internal policies,” emphasizing that he had engaged with the investigation in good faith and fully cooperated with the Board. He added that his initial silence aimed to avoid disrupting the process, a period that he believes allowed “assumptions and misrepresentations to spread without challenge.”

Addressing the online allegations, Olubi insisted that the conduct being circulated “do not reflect my conduct or the way I have lived my life” and reaffirmed his commitment to respecting “everyone’s dignity and safety.”

The former CTO confirmed that his legal team is reviewing the termination process to determine whether it aligned with Paystack’s internal procedures. He concluded by stating that his lawyers “will take the steps they consider appropriate” and that he will not provide further comment at this time.