A former executive at Kuda, Rosemary Hewat, has filed a lawsuit against the company, alleging gender discrimination and wrongful termination. Hewat claims that Kuda’s work environment was toxic, with female employees being sidelined and undervalued.

At the center of the lawsuit is a December 2023 strategy retreat, where CEO Babatunde Ogundeyi allegedly made derogatory comments about female employees’ backgrounds.

Hewat also alleges that she was offered stock options at a higher valuation than a male colleague in a similar role, and when she brought it to Ogundeyi’s attention, he dismissed her concerns.

After speaking out, Hewat claims she was subjected to retaliation, including being cut out of meetings, having her responsibilities reassigned, and ultimately being fired in February 2024.

In a surprising twist, Kuda’s Chief Technical Officer, Mutairu Mustapha, reportedly admitted that Hewat’s termination was a “mistake” and even suggested she return to the company.

Kuda has acknowledged the lawsuit but declined to comment further. CEO Babatunde Ogundeyi has not publicly responded to the allegations.

The lawsuit shines a spotlight on workplace culture and gender equality in Nigeria’s fintech space, raising important questions about the treatment of female employees in the industry.