Africa’s Cleaning King Wins Sustainability Award, Drives Home Brand-New Electric Car

Folalumi Alaran in Abuja

The cleaning and laundry industry in Nigeria has achieved another milestone as Abuja-based entrepreneur, Barrister Yakubu Mohammed Yazeed, popularly known as the Cleaning King of Africa, emerged winner of the “Spark for the Future” pitch competition at the ATINUDA event in Lagos, taking home a brand-new NORD electric car.

The award, which celebrates innovation and sustainability in business, further solidifies Yazeed’s reputation as one of Africa’s leading voices in the cleaning and environmental management sector.

Fondly called “Sarkin Tsafta,” Yazeed has built a formidable legacy in an industry often overlooked, transforming it into a hub for creativity, professionalism, and youth empowerment.

From modest beginnings in 2018, when he started a small laundry business at the back of his parents’ home in Abuja, Yazeed has risen to become one of the continent’s foremost cleaning professionals. Over the past seven years, he has trained thousands of practitioners across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones and in neighbouring countries such as Ghana and Cameroon.

Through his numerous cleaning forums and conferences, held across five geopolitical zones, Yazeed has created a vibrant platform for professionals to learn, network, and collaborate — giving visibility and structure to the fast-growing cleaning and laundry industry.

In his capacity as President of the Prime Environment Cleaners Association (PECNA) — Nigeria’s largest network of new-generation cleaners — Yazeed has continued to champion professionalism, ethics, and innovation within the sector.

At the ATINUDA event, his winning pitch focused on sustainability and the use of technology in event cleaning — a niche area still largely untapped but vital for ensuring cleaner, greener large-scale gatherings. His presentation sparked renewed conversations about waste management at major events and the need to integrate eco-friendly practices into event planning and execution.

Speaking after his win, Yazeed dedicated the award to his team at Yaz Laundry and Cleaning Services, describing the achievement as a reflection of their shared commitment and consistency.

“This win is for my entire team,” he said. “The work we’ve done over the years tells our story. It’s also for every laundry and cleaning professional across Nigeria and Africa — a reminder that our industry matters, that we can stand proudly on global platforms and be celebrated for our contributions.”

Observers note that Yazeed’s recognition at the ATINUDA platform underscores a broader shift toward sustainability-driven innovation within Africa’s cleaning and hygiene industry.

From a backyard startup to an industry trailblazer, Yazeed’s journey exemplifies how vision, dedication, and purpose can redefine even the most unconventional sectors. His story continues to inspire a new generation of entrepreneurs to embrace sustainability and explore opportunities in industries once considered ordinary.

As technology and sustainability reshape business landscapes across the continent, Barrister Yakubu Mohammed Yazeed stands tall among Africa’s emerging leaders driving the charge for a cleaner, greener, and more prosperous future.