The Stephen Akintayo GText apology has become a major talking point following an Instagram Live session hosted by Dr Olumide Emmanuel on Saturday, October 10, 2026, during which he questioned the businessman over complaints surrounding GText and urged him to address how affected people perceived his response to the controversy. The live session began at approximately 9 p.m. Nigerian time and attracted more than 1,000 viewers, according to the information available from the broadcast. The discussion centred on allegations of unpaid salaries involving former employees and complaints from people who say their property investments have not turned out as expected.
During the conversation, Dr Olumide told Akintayo that although he had handed over the company’s management, his position as founder meant that the public continued to associate his name with its activities. Akintayo subsequently apologised to employees who may have felt hurt by him or members of the company’s staff, saying there had been no intention to hurt them.
Stephen Akintayo GText Apology Follows Dr Olumide’s Questions
During the Instagram Live, Dr Olumide challenged Akintayo to consider how his quiet demeanour and public responses might be interpreted by people who believed they had unresolved issues with the company. He acknowledged that Akintayo had handed over the company’s operations but argued that the founder’s name and reputation remained connected to what happened within the organisation. “You are still the founder. You founded the company. Yes, you have handed over,” Dr Olumide said.
He explained that when people believe a business they supported is experiencing problems, they may interpret a founder’s silence or restrained response as a sign that their concerns are not being taken seriously. Dr Olumide also emphasised the importance of emotional intelligence when communicating with people who have invested their hard-earned money or believe they are owed money. According to him, the way a business leader communicates with affected people matters, particularly when the public is seeking answers about salaries, investments and other unresolved concerns. He then gave Akintayo the opportunity to make his final remarks before the session concluded.
Stephen Akintayo Says Sorry to Employees During the Live Session
In his response, Akintayo addressed the complaints involving employees and apologised to those who felt hurt by his actions or those of company staff. “If, for whatever reason, at whatever point, felt hurt by whether it was me or it was somebody else, I wanna say I’m sorry,” he said. He added that there had been no intention to hurt employees and maintained that the company had operated with good intentions. Akintayo recalled the company’s operations in 2021, which he described as its best year. He said he personally helped arrange office and accommodation facilities for staff on Banana Island in Lagos. According to him, the company secured accommodation in a three-unit, five-bedroom arrangement for employees and also provided staff with cars.
He presented these examples as part of his account of how the company had invested in its workforce during its growth. The businessman also referred to the company’s Dubai operations, saying the manager of the business had been given a 30 per cent equity stake and access to its accounts. Akintayo said the arrangement reflected his belief in building structured businesses in which employees could have a sense of ownership. He expressed disappointment about how events had unfolded and described the experience as painful. “There’s a depth of betrayal,” he said, while discussing his feelings about the situation. He then reiterated his apology to employees who felt that the company or its representatives had treated them in a way that fell short of their expectations. “On behalf, I say we’re sorry,” he added.
What Led to the GText Controversy?
The Instagram Live comes amid growing public criticism of GText and its founder over complaints from former employees and other individuals who have raised concerns about their dealings with the business. Source
On October 6, 2026, the Foundation for Investigative Journalism reported allegations by former GText Homes employees concerning unpaid salaries, employment disputes and other workplace grievances. One former employee, identified as Victoria, said she received ₦395,000 in outstanding salary after publicly raising her complaint. She also expressed concern that other former colleagues were allegedly still awaiting payment. GText disputed the allegations, describing the online criticism as a smear campaign and accusing some former employees of misconduct. The company’s position differs from the claims made by the former workers. The dispute has since generated further discussion on social media about employee welfare, business accountability and how companies respond when people raise complaints publicly. Against this background, Dr Olumide’s decision to question Akintayo publicly brought renewed attention to the controversy.
Dr Olumide Says Founders Must Consider How People Perceive Their Responses
A key part of Dr Olumide’s intervention was his argument that founders cannot completely separate their personal reputations from the businesses they establish, even after handing over daily management. He told Akintayo that people may continue to associate the founder with the company, particularly when its name is linked to unresolved complaints. Dr Olumide also stressed that effective communication requires leaders to consider the emotional and financial circumstances of the people raising concerns. His remarks highlighted the importance of acknowledging complaints and communicating with empathy, particularly where salaries, personal savings or property investments are involved.
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