Ezra Olubi Dismissed as Maki’s Allegations and Old Tweets Trigger Tech-Sector Crisis
Nigerian-American finance professional, Obae, widely known as Maki, took to Twitter accusing Paystack co-founder Ezra Olubi of manipulation, emotional abuse, misogyny, and sexual exploitation. According to her, their polyamorous relationship, which began in September 2023, involved Olubi allegedly maintaining a sexual relationship with a junior Paystack employee, a situation she described as an abuse of power dynamics.
Maki further claimed that Olubi pretended to be gay to draw feminists into his circle, claiming he wanted to
“break the feminism out of them … using them as sex objects and keeping them in check with money.”
She also accused him of controlling behaviour, emotional detachment, humiliation rituals, and mistreatment of domestic staff.
The controversy escalated when old tweets (2009 to 2013) from Olubi resurfaced, containing disturbing sexual jokes and explicit references involving minors, bestiality, and harassment intensifying public scrutiny and calls for accountability.
PAYSTACK’S RESPONSE AND TERMINATION
Following the allegations, Paystack suspended Olubi on 14 November 2025 pending an internal investigation. However, on 22 November 2025, Olubi revealed he had been terminated, claiming the decision came before the independent investigation was completed.
In a blog post published 23 November, he said the company acted:
“without any meeting, hearing, or opportunity for me to respond … in clear contravention of Paystack’s internal policies.”
Olubi added that his legal team is currently reviewing the process, stating:
“They will take the steps they consider appropriate.”
He also stated that his legal team is reviewing the termination process “including its consistency with internal policies. They will take the steps they consider appropriate.” He did not, at that time, specify exactly which legal options he would pursue, but the language suggests potential breach-of-contract challenge or procedural unfairness claims.
What Transpired Between Them And the $55,000 Loan Reimbursement
Maki stated that their relationship became physically intimate in December 2023, during a visit to Olubi, when she also met the female junior employee she later accused him of being involved with. Their relationship reportedly ended in June 2024 after months of tension.
She further alleged that Olubi was sexually involved with a junior Paystack employee, raising concerns about abuse of workplace power dynamics.
Describing patterns of humiliation, emotional detachment, and mistreatment of domestic staff.
Alongside her allegations, Maki revealed that she had taken a US$55,000 loan from Olubi to pay her brother’s tuition. On 24 November, she publicly confirmed she had repaid the loan in full.
“The final transfer of $5k has now been delivered to Ezra … the total $55k loan has now been transferred back to him. That’s that.”
Maki applauded Paystack’s decision to remove Olubi, describing the repayment as both closure and a symbolic act of accountability
The key figures
Ezra Olubi (born 12 November 1986, Ibadan, Nigeria) is a Nigerian entrepreneur, software developer, and one of the co-founders of Paystack.
He studied Computer Engineering at Babcock University and helped build Paystack from its founding in 2015 with Shola Akinlade. In 2020, Paystack was acquired by Stripe. He is known for challenging traditional gender norms, for example by wearing nail polish and lipstick.
Max “Makispoke” Obae (“Maki”) is a Nigerian American finance professional, angel investor, and content creator. She describes herself on X as
“Igbo-American … where finance meets philosophy.”
She gained attention for speaking out about her personal experiences with Olubi, and for her broader commentary on power dynamics, gender, and relationships.
Public Weighed- In
The revelations have ignited wide debate across social media and within Nigeria’s startup ecosystem.
Some users have praised Paystack’s decisive action and supported Obae for speaking out.
Others argue that the termination was premature, stressing the need to complete investigations before disciplinary decisions, and questioning how much weight should be placed on decade-old tweets.
Still, many observers say the controversy highlights deeper issues around power, ethics, and safeguarding in fast-growing tech startups.
In summary, the allegations brought by Maki against Ezra Olubi have proved highly consequential. Her claims of emotional abuse, manipulation, and misuse of power triggered Paystack’s internal investigation, leading to Olubi’s suspension and eventual termination on 22 November 2025.
Olubi contests the way his dismissal was handled and is exploring legal remedies. Meanwhile, Maki has taken the high road by fully repaying the US$55,000 loan, and publicly praised Paystack for its decision framing the repayment as part of holding both parties accountable. The fallout has sparked intense public debate about ethics, power, and accountability in Nigeria’s tech ecosystem.
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