Ezra Olubi, Paystack’s Co-Founder SusEzra Olubi, co-founder and former Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Nigeria’s fintech giant Paystack, has been suspended from all duties following serious allegations of sexual misconduct and the resurfacing of highly disturbing historical social media posts.
The suspension follows a public call-out by a woman known as Maki, who accused Olubi of manipulative behavior, misrepresenting his sexual orientation, and maintaining multiple flings outside their relationship.
As public pressure mounted, Olubi deleted his X account, a move many users interpreted as an admission of guilt or an attempt to avoid scrutiny.
However, Maki’s post gained attention, and old tweets dating from 2010 to 2017 resurfaced, depicting content involving sexualized fantasies about minors, incest, animals, and extreme perversions.
On X (formerly Twitter), one user with handle noted: “I have seen tweets delves towards bestiality, grooming, rape, contempt, extreme perversion on this man’s page…” highlighting the gravity of the social media evidence.
Paystack has announced a formal internal investigation, stressing that the suspension is effective immediately while due process is observed.
Who is Ezra Olubi: Career and Success
Ezra Olubi is a key figure in Africa’s fintech landscape, co-founding Paystack, the Nigerian payments platform acquired by Stripe, marking one of the most significant fintech exits on the continent.
Olubi’s technical expertise and innovative approach to payment systems have earned him recognition and respect in Nigeria’s tech community.
He is often described as a charismatic, flamboyant personality, known for eccentric fashion choices, including painted nails, lipstick, and vibrant attire, which contributed to his popularity among certain social and feminist circles.
According to social media reports, he frequently hosted high-profile events, such as viral pyjama parties attended by influential feminists, reinforcing his social influence.
His wealth and visibility have historically amplified his professional and social reach, making him a notable voice in Africa’s tech ecosystem.
While celebrated for his technical skills, Olubi’s public persona as a progressive, socially connected figure has now been critically re-evaluated due to the allegations.
The Dark Side of a Tech Guru
Despite professional acclaim, multiple sources and social media accounts suggest that Olubi displayed manipulative and abusive personal behavior.
According to X user Nimisioluwa (@Idaassssssss), Olubi “doesn’t treat anyone around well or nice… he treats them nice before getting into their pant then goes wild after having a thing with them,” a description of pattern behavior in intimate relationships.
Reports also suggest that Olubi misrepresented his sexual orientation, claiming to be queer while maintaining multiple relationships with women outside the queer community.
This alleged duplicity, combined with his social charm and wealth, reportedly allowed him to evade scrutiny from those around him for years.
His public persona as a socially progressive, queer-friendly influencer, coupled with his financial and social power, masked his private actions, creating a stark contrast between his public image and alleged personal conduct.
Allegations and Social Media Evidence
The allegations against Olubi are compounded by a series of historical social media posts, dating from 2010–2013, that depict sexualized content involving minors, animals, incest, and extreme fetishism. Examples include:
“Add ‘clueless’ to that list. I like them young, innocent, and clueless.” (04/04/2012)
“Sometimes, I just go on all fours and follow the cat around the house…blowing air on his anus.” (12/02/2011)
“I have a touching relationship with my cousin. Can’t wait to get to third base.” (24/02/2017)
These posts, which resurfaced following Maki’s public allegations, suggest a long-standing engagement with disturbing sexual content and practices.
According to Nimisioluwa, tweets also reference grooming, extreme sexual perversions, and fetishistic behavior.
Maki’s public statements accused Olubi of manipulative relationships, portraying him as someone who presents himself as progressive and queer while maintaining multiple flings outside the queer community.
The combination of social media evidence and contemporary allegations has significantly increased public scrutiny, raising questions about Olubi’s behavior and fitness for leadership positions.
Public Reaction and Career Collapse
The backlash has been swift and intense. Previously, Olubi’s wealth, influence, and social persona shielded him from criticism, with some feminist and queer circles defending him.
However, the resurfacing of historical posts, combined with Maki’s allegations, prompted widespread condemnation. Social media users expressed shock and outrage, with some calling for formal investigations into his conduct.
Many highlighted the incongruity between his public image and the disturbing content of his old posts, framing it as a cautionary tale about unchecked power and influence in tech leadership.
This controversy has caused substantial reputational damage, with Olubi’s credibility and professional standing severely affected. Analysts note that this could limit his future influence in fintech and technology entrepreneurship.
The Suspension: Implications for Paystack
Paystack’s suspension of Olubi underscores a growing emphasis on corporate governance and accountability within African tech firms.
By acting decisively and initiating a formal internal investigation, Paystack is displaying its commitment to ethical leadership, workplace safety, and corporate integrity.
The company must navigate the delicate balance between transparency and protecting due process, while managing reputational risk in a high-profile, publicly scrutinized controversy.
Analysts note that Paystack’s handling of this case could set a benchmark for ethical standards and accountability mechanisms across the continent’s tech ecosystem.
Effects on Africa’s Tech Ecosystem
The Ezra Olubi saga carries broader implications for Africa’s technology sector. Beyond individual misconduct, the case highlights systemic issues including:
Ethical Leadership and Accountability: Founders and executives are increasingly expected to demonstrate conduct aligned with company values and social norms.
Workplace Safety and Inclusion: Allegations underscore the necessity of policies protecting employees from sexual misconduct, harassment, and exploitation.
Digital Footprint Awareness: Social media posts, even years old, can resurface and have far-reaching consequences, emphasizing the importance of digital responsibility for public figures.
Governance and Reputation Management: Companies must implement strong oversight mechanisms and ensure transparency to maintain stakeholder trust.
The controversy may catalyze reforms in African tech firms, prompting more rigorous compliance, ethical oversight, and awareness campaigns, while serving as a warning about the intersection of personal conduct, power, and corporate responsibility.
Talking Points
The situation involving Ezra Olubi has become a complex collision of allegations, public perception, and corporate responsibility.
While multiple users on X have circulated screenshots of disturbing old tweets and shared accounts of inappropriate behavior, these remain unverified claims from social media and should not be treated as conclusive evidence without proper investigation.
Olubi’s deletion or deactivation of his X account has intensified public speculation, though such actions can also be driven by legal advice or mental-health considerations rather than an admission of guilt.
Paystack’s decision to suspend him reflects standard corporate risk-management rather than a judgment on the allegations, as companies often act to preserve reputation while facts are still emerging.
Overall, the saga highlights the need for balanced assessment, that’s allegations should be taken seriously, but conclusions must rest on verified findings, not social-media momentum, and must ensure fairness for all parties involved.
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