Ezra Olubi, born November 12, 1986, is a Nigerian entrepreneur and software developer who co-founded Paystack, Nigeria’s first unicorn financial firm. As the company’s CTO, he helped transform digital payments across Nigeria and West Africa. Paystack was acquired by Stripe for $200 million in 2020. Olubi is also known for his androgynous fashion and advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights in Nigeria.
Profile Summary
| Full Name | Ezra Olubi (Ezra Olubi Ekwe) |
| Date of Birth | November 12, 1986 |
| Place of Birth | Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| State of Origin | Ogun State (Abeokuta, Yoruba) |
| Partner(s) | Max/Maki and NK (two female partners in polyamorous relationship) |
| Children | None |
| Occupations | Entrepreneur, Software Developer, CTO, Co-founder of Paystack |
| Net Worth | Approximately $100 million USD |
Early Life and Education
Olubi was born in Ibadan, Oyo State, into a Yoruba family from Abeokuta, Ogun State. He grew up in Ibadan and attended St. Gregory’s College for secondary school. It was during those years that he first became aware of his effeminate nature, after his father made a comment about it. This early experience shaped his journey toward self-acceptance.
He went on to study Computer Science at Babcock University in Ilisan-Remo, Ogun State, graduating between 2002 and 2006. At Babcock, he distinguished himself as a talented student, winning exhibition awards and sharpening his programming skills. Those years laid the foundation for what would become a successful career in technology.
Career
Before launching Paystack, Olubi built solid experience across Nigeria’s tech industry. He worked as an IT administrator and web application developer at North Ocean Logistics and Solutions Limited.
Olubi later took on similar roles at Softcom Limited Nigeria and served as Head of Product Development at Softcom Imagio Limited. He also worked as CTO at Jobberman, one of Nigeria’s leading job platforms.
In 2016, he co-founded Paystack with Shola Akinlade. Their vision was straightforward but ambitious: make it easy for Nigerian businesses to accept payments online. The idea resonated quickly. Paystack became one of the first Nigerian startups to join Y Combinator, the prestigious Silicon Valley accelerator. The company grew rapidly, becoming Nigeria’s first unicorn in the fintech space.
The defining moment came in 2020 when Stripe, the American payment giant, acquired Paystack for $200 million. It was a landmark deal for African tech, proving that Nigerian startups could compete on the global stage. Olubi also built Eyowo, an early unified payment system that helped shape Nigeria’s digital payment infrastructure.
Personal Life
Ezra Olubi’s full name is Ezra Olubi Ekwe. In February 2024, he made headlines by openly sharing photos of himself with two women, Max (Maki) and NK, at a friend’s wedding abroad. He described their polyamorous relationship as “triple income, no kids.”
The relationship ended badly. By November 2025, Max (Maki) had become his ex-girlfriend and publicly accused him of manipulation, emotional detachment, and control. She admitted she had originally proposed the three-way relationship but later felt wronged by Olubi’s behavior.
The private breakup turned into a public scandal that cost Olubi his job at Paystack and damaged his reputation in Nigeria’s tech community.
As a heterosexual male, Olubi advocates for LGBTQ+ rights in Nigeria and embraces an androgynous style which include wearing lipstick and nail polish. His bold appearance at his 2022 OON award ceremony, where President Buhari reportedly stared at him in surprise, went viral across the country.
Controversy
In November 2025, Olubi faced serious sexual misconduct allegations from his ex-girlfriend Amaka Odeluga Obae (Max/Maki), who accused him of manipulation and abuse during their polyamorous relationship.
Old tweets from 2009–2013 resurfaced with disturbing comments about minors, which led to his suspension by Paystack. He was later fired after the board made a decision. Olubi called the termination unfair and sought legal recourse. The scandal sparked public debate and revealed he had also been involved with a junior colleague.
Net Worth
Olubi’s net worth is estimated at around $100 million USD, though some sources place it closer to $40 million. The bulk of his wealth came from Stripe’s $200 million acquisition of Paystack in 2020. As co-founder and CTO, he received a significant share of the proceeds.
Awards and Recognitions
Despite the controversy, Olubi’s achievements have been formally recognized.
In 2014, he won the Nigeria Entrepreneurs Award for Excellence and Business Innovation, along with Entrepreneur of the Year at the same event. In October 2022, President Muhammadu Buhari conferred on him the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON), one of Nigeria’s highest civilian honors. The award recognized his contributions to technology and innovation in Nigeria.
The OON ceremony became memorable not just for the honor itself, but for Olubi’s bold fashion choice. His androgynous appearance at such a formal, state-sponsored event challenged conventional norms and sparked national conversation about self-expression in Nigeria.
