How Yakubu Mohammed Yazeed transformed failure, faith, and focus into leadership in Nigeria’s cleaning industry
Success stories often begin quietly, sometimes painfully. For Yakubu Mohammed Yazeed, popularly known as Yaz, the journey from being written off as a failure to becoming a leader in Nigeria’s cleaning industry is one defined by resilience, faith, and a commitment to impact.
From law school to laundry services, from depression to building a pan-African cleaning movement, Yaz’s story challenges society’s perception of success, education, and entrepreneurship.
This is the Lumni Spotlight interview feature on a man who turned stigma into strategy and built value where many saw none.
Who Is Yakubu Mohammed Yazeed?
Yakubu Mohammed Yazeed was born on August 28—a date that later became symbolic in his life. As a junior secondary school student, Yaz ranked 28th out of 28 students in his class.
Ironically, while others labeled him a failure, he never truly internalized it.
“My classmates felt like I was a failure, but I didn’t feel that way.”
Growing up, Yaz wasn’t academically focused. He dreamed of becoming a lawyer but struggled with discipline and direction. It wasn’t until SSS 3 that something shifted.
In 2015, Yaz had a realization:
“I wasn’t poor academically. I only had a focus problem.”
That year, he passed both WAEC and JAMB in one sitting and gained admission into Baze University, Abuja, where he studied Law. Despite being deeply involved in entertainment and campus social life, he graduated without a single carryover—to the surprise of many who had doubted him.
From Law to Media: The Early Entrepreneurial Spark
Yaz’s entrepreneurial journey started early.
At 16 years old, his mother bought him a small Samsung camera. That single device planted the seed for what would later become YAZ Media—a photography, videography, and event production company he ran as an undergraduate.
He traveled across Kaduna and Kano, covering weddings and events while still studying law.
However, after law school, Yaz faced a deep internal crisis.
Depression, Purpose, and a Turning Point
After completing law school and NYSC, Yaz found himself chasing fame instead of value. Despite working in a well-paying law firm, he felt empty.
“There was a battle between my spirit and my body.”
That period of depression forced a hard reset. Yaz realized his purpose wasn’t in organizing parties—it was in creating impact.
So he quit entertainment completely.
How Yaz Laundry & Cleaning Services Was Born
Opportunity came unexpectedly.
When his parents acquired a new property in Lifecamp, Abuja, they needed someone to handle laundry. Yaz saw a simple problem—and a scalable idea.
With ₦50,000 saved from his Call to Bar dinner, he;
- Bought a fairly used iron and table
- Used his family’s washing machine
- Started offering professional laundry and cleaning services
That humble setup marked the beginning of Yaz Laundry & Cleaning Services.
Seven years later, that same idea has evolved into a pan-African cleaning enterprise.
Becoming a Leader in Nigeria’s Cleaning Industry
Today, Yakubu Mohammed Yazeed is recognized as:
- A leader in the Nigerian cleaning industry
- A trainer of cleaners across Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, and Tanzania
- The founder of a professional cleaning training institute
- A pioneer of the “New Generation Cleaningpreneurs” movement
During the COVID-19 pandemic, his business scaled rapidly. A major contract with CBN Hospital helped him earn his first million naira, which he reinvested into equipment, staff, and systems.
He later moved operations out of his parents’ backyard, rented a commercial space, and began training others professionally—filling a gap that didn’t exist when he started.
Challenges in the Cleaning Business
Like most service-based industries, the cleaning sector comes with unique challenges:
1. Lack of Industry Resources
When Yaz started, there were no training materials or professional standards for cleaners in Nigeria.
2. High Staff Turnover
Many cleaners don’t see cleaning as a long-term career, making retention difficult.
Yaz responded by adopting a new leadership style—helping staff understand that they were not just working jobs, but building careers.
“One person cannot be bigger than an industry.”
Changing Nigerians’ Perception of the Cleaning Industry
The perception gap around cleaning services was massive when Yaz started.
Charging ₦100,000 for cleaning once sounded outrageous. Today, his team sends multi-million-naira quotations that get approved instantly.
Through branding, training, and storytelling, Yaz has helped reposition cleaning as a professional, premium service.His company mantra, “The Elite Cleaning Force,” reflects this mindset shift.
Yet, Yaz believes the work isn’t done.
The older generation of cleaners focused heavily on government contracts but failed to reform the industry’s public image. The new generation—digitally savvy and education-driven—is now leading that change.
Balancing Law and Entrepreneurship
While building his cleaning empire, Yaz returned to law—this time on his own terms.
His firm, Yaz Yakubu & Co, focuses on:
- Real estate law
- Property management
- Investment advisory and due diligence
Unlike the cleaning business, legal practice is more structured and less labor-intensive, allowing him to manage both successfully.
Views on Government Policies and Entrepreneurship in Nigeria
Yaz doesn’t believe entrepreneurs should wait on government support.
“Entrepreneurs create ecosystems for themselves.”
He emphasizes:
- Compliance with laws and taxes
- Understanding required licenses
- Focusing on innovation, not complaints
In his view, anyone who can survive Nigeria’s business environment can thrive anywhere in the world.
Impact of CEOs Network Africa
As an alumnus of CEOs Network Africa, Yaz credits the platform for expanding his entrepreneurial network and exposing him to leaders transforming Africa’s business landscape.
Practical Strategies Yaz Uses to Stay Ahead
1. Faith and Spiritual Grounding
Yaz believes entrepreneurship requires grace.
“Some results cannot be explained by strategy alone.”
Prayer, direction, and spiritual discipline guide many of his business decisions.
2. Continuous Learning
He emphasizes:
- Investing in people
- Remaining humble
- Building systems and processes
- Transitioning from working in the business to working on the business
“The difference between what we know and what we don’t know is enormous.”
Final Thoughts
Yakubu Mohammed Yazeed’s story is proof that:
- Failure is not final
- Focus can rewrite destiny
- Impact matters more than fame
- No industry is small when approached with vision
From being last in class to building a continental cleaning movement, Yaz’s journey is one of resilience, faith, and intentional leadership.