Paystack has terminated the employment of its Co-founder and former Chief Technology Officer, Ezra Olubi, following allegations of inappropriate conduct involving a junior employee.
The decision is one of the most high-profile leadership exits in Nigeria’s tech ecosystem this year and has intensified ongoing discussions around corporate governance and workplace accountability in the sector.
According to statements released publicly by Olubi on Saturday, his exit followed internal deliberations by the company after the allegations gained widespread attention online.
He disclosed that the company informed him of the termination before the conclusion of an internal review, prompting concerns about the manner and timing of the decision.
Olubi stated that he was not granted the opportunity to formally respond to the claims before the contract termination was communicated.
He added that his legal representatives are assessing the procedure adopted and reviewing potential next steps.
The former executive noted that he would refrain from further public commentary while the matter undergoes legal scrutiny.
Paystack, one of Africa’s most prominent payment companies and majority-owned by Stripe, has not issued a detailed update following Olubi’s public notice.
The company had earlier confirmed that it initiated an internal process to examine the allegations and appointed an independent party to support the review.
It remains unclear whether the company will release additional information as developments unfold.
The controversy gathered momentum after allegations surfaced online in mid-November, leading to renewed attention on historic posts published by Olubi in earlier years.
The incident rapidly sparked public debate on boundaries, workplace ethics, and the broader cultural environment within Nigeria’s expanding technology industry.
Governance analysts say the case reflects growing pressure on African startups to strengthen internal disciplinary systems, formalise reporting mechanisms, and build organisational cultures that meet global standards.
As the region attracts increasing investment from multinational technology companies and venture capital firms, expectations around leadership conduct and employee protections continue to rise.
Legal experts note that if the matter advances to litigation, it could set precedent for how misconduct allegations involving senior leaders in the tech industry are handled, especially where internal procedures and employment contracts are tested in court.
Stakeholders across the Nigerian tech community have called for calm and urged companies to uphold transparent processes that safeguard both complainants and accused parties.