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How I Struck Fortune From Cleaning, Handled Over 10,000 Jobs- Somtee - Business - Nairaland

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How I Struck Fortune From Cleaning, Handled Over 10,000 Jobs- Somtee by AnambraPeople(op): 5:01pm On Nov 19, 2025
How I Struck Fortune From Cleaning, Handled Over 10,000 Jobs- SomTee


Ten years ago, what began as a humble side hustle under a staircase has grown into one of Nigeria’s most recognizable indigenous brands in the professional cleaning and facility-management sector. Today, SomTee Global Integrated Services Ltd, popularly known as SomTee Cleaning, stands tall as a model of innovation, discipline, and resilience in entrepreneurship.

In a commemorative interview to mark the firm’s tenth anniversary, its Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Somto Henry Ezeaniomenyi, reflected on his journey, the struggles, the turning points, and the vision propelling the brand forward.

According to him, cleaning was not a career he deliberately chose; it was something that chose him. “To be honest, cleaning discovered me,” he admitted, recalling how it all started in 2014 as a school-break side hustle that soon became a passion. What began with basic tools stored under a staircase evolved into an inspiring enterprise rooted in purpose, order, and dignity.

By 2018, Somto’s small hustle had grown enough for him to secure his first office, a milestone he described as proof that his work was no longer a random activity but a real business. The COVID-19 lockdown of 2021 became another defining moment. Instead of pausing, he invested time in learning and mastering the science and art of cleaning, a phase that deepened his conviction that “cleaning had chosen” him.

Before this breakthrough, he had tried various ventures, including serving as a hypeman and DJ, selling T-shirts and face caps, making shawarma, painting, and doing interior decoration. Yet, none resonated with him as much as cleaning. “Cleaning became my calling,” he said, adding that it gave him identity, structure, and a lifelong mission to redefine what professionalism means in the industry.

Somto admitted that the early days were far from easy. Starting from Onitsha, he said he faced ridicule and disbelief from people who saw cleaning only as a menial job. “People made mockery of me,” he recalled. “Some of my mates avoided me.” Clients were scarce, jobs were seasonal, and the absence of financial backing meant he often relied purely on passion and resourcefulness. But every satisfied client rekindled his determination to keep going.

A major turning point, according to him, came in 2021 when fate brought him in contact with his mentor and role model, Dr. Stanley Uzochukwu, Chief Executive Officer of Stanel Group and Delborough Hotel Lagos. That relationship, he said, changed everything. “That was my turning point. He believed in me and gave me the platform to work for him.” From there, SomTee began handling high-profile projects, including post-construction cleaning for luxury estates and corporate facilities, the kind of visibility that repositioned the brand in the national spotlight.

He gives all glory to God for sustaining the company and expresses gratitude to his loyal team members, his supportive family, and his clients who trusted him when others doubted.

In the course of ten years, SomTee Cleaning has worked on several notable projects, including large-scale contracts for Mikano International, Cube 65, Delborough Hotel Lagos, Clinix, and the Anambra State Government, among others. Of all these, the post-construction cleaning of Delborough Hotel in Lagos remains particularly special to him. “That project gave birth to SomTee Lagos,” he said, describing it as the company’s gateway into the commercial capital.

For Somto, success is not measured only in profit but in people. He considers his greatest achievement to be transforming SomTee Cleaning into SomTee Global, a respected institution that dignifies cleaning as a career and creates opportunities for young Nigerians.

“We’ve trained and empowered young people, created jobs, and inspired others to start their own cleaning ventures,” he proudly declared.

What makes SomTee stand out, according to him, is its blend of professionalism and passion. The company, he reveals, invests heavily in staff training, quality control, and eco-friendly products while ensuring that both small and large clients enjoy the same level of excellence. “At SomTee, we don’t chase clients; we build trust,” he emphasized. “That’s why our clients stay with us.”

The entrepreneur revealed that the past decade has taught him valuable lessons in patience, resilience, and people management. He has learned that building a sustainable business takes time, structure, and direction, not just speed. “Some people say, ‘Ten years and you’re still here?’ My answer is simple: we’re just getting started.”

Looking ahead, Somto said the future of SomTee Global lies in global expansion, innovation, and system balancing. The company, according to him, currently has six subsidiaries — SomTee Cleaning, SomTee Stores, Silent Shield Pest Control, Event Care by SomTee, SomTee Training Academy, and SomTee Kleen Products, which produces the firm’s proprietary line of cleaning and scenting agents. He said plans are also underway to integrate smart cleaning technologies and expand operations across more Nigerian cities, other African countries, and eventually into Europe.

He envisions a future where SomTee becomes synonymous with cleanliness, professionalism, and sustainability, becoming a household name that embodies excellence.

Somto is also a proud member of the Prime Environment Cleaners Association (PECNA), a fast-growing network of new-generation cleaning practitioners championing professionalism in Nigeria’s cleaning industry. Through PECNA and SomTee’s own initiatives, he aims to continue advocating environmental responsibility and empowerment for cleaners across Africa.

His ultimate goal , he further revealed, is to redefine how Africa perceives cleaning, to make them stop seeing it as a menial job, but as a science, an art, and a career of dignity.

“My dream is that when people talk about the evolution of Nigeria’s cleaning industry, the name SomTee stands as a beacon of change, excellence, and empowerment for generations to come,” he concluded.

After ten years of grit and growth, SomTee Cleaning has indeed become more than a brand. It has also been viewed as a movement that has transformed spaces, created jobs, restored dignity, and inspired an entire industry. And for its founder, this first decade is only the beginning.
https://anambrapeople.com.ng/2025/11/19/how-i-struck-fortune-from-cleaning-handled-over-10000-jobs-somtee1/

Re: How I Struck Fortune From Cleaning, Handled Over 10,000 Jobs- Somtee by Wisdomkosi(m): 5:58pm On Nov 19, 2025
This is very good. Thanks for the knowledge
Re: How I Struck Fortune From Cleaning, Handled Over 10,000 Jobs- Somtee by Celebrityblog: 6:03pm On Nov 19, 2025
Wow. Interesting. God is good
Re: How I Struck Fortune From Cleaning, Handled Over 10,000 Jobs- Somtee by Apcshit: 6:05pm On Nov 19, 2025
You sure say no yahoo yahoo was involved? I don't trust all these stories like hushpuppi
Re: How I Struck Fortune From Cleaning, Handled Over 10,000 Jobs- Somtee by Authoreety: 6:06pm On Nov 19, 2025
Forget not the days of humble beginnings
Re: How I Struck Fortune From Cleaning, Handled Over 10,000 Jobs- Somtee by Dogalmighty17: 6:06pm On Nov 19, 2025
May we never meet our destiny helper and chase him away or be blinded to the potential door opening before us.
Re: How I Struck Fortune From Cleaning, Handled Over 10,000 Jobs- Somtee by GualaGuala(m): 6:07pm On Nov 19, 2025
40 characters needed in this comment
Re: How I Struck Fortune From Cleaning, Handled Over 10,000 Jobs- Somtee by bigpicture001: 6:08pm On Nov 19, 2025
My friend into this huzle is paid 1.5 million to 3m for simply cleaning...

I was wowed!

He pays his workers 8k daily.. usually undergraduates students...
Re: How I Struck Fortune From Cleaning, Handled Over 10,000 Jobs- Somtee by STINEKPROJECTS1: 6:09pm On Nov 19, 2025
Nice! Keep striving ladd
Re: How I Struck Fortune From Cleaning, Handled Over 10,000 Jobs- Somtee by cjwalter(m): 6:11pm On Nov 19, 2025
I know him very well and nothing like yahoo, it was pure hard work and dedication
Re: How I Struck Fortune From Cleaning, Handled Over 10,000 Jobs- Somtee by Wealthyonos(m): 6:12pm On Nov 19, 2025
Good and amazing concept.
Re: How I Struck Fortune From Cleaning, Handled Over 10,000 Jobs- Somtee by Seunpapa65: 6:15pm On Nov 19, 2025
Just one contact with the right person can change everything forget
Re: How I Struck Fortune From Cleaning, Handled Over 10,000 Jobs- Somtee by FutureFocus: 6:15pm On Nov 19, 2025
It’s like that, I wish people would learn
Re: How I Struck Fortune From Cleaning, Handled Over 10,000 Jobs- Somtee by Igbofirstfarmer: 6:16pm On Nov 19, 2025
Good, who said hardwork doesn't pay know nothing.
Re: How I Struck Fortune From Cleaning, Handled Over 10,000 Jobs- Somtee by tnerro1(m): 6:30pm On Nov 19, 2025
If you believe this, then I have a fully furnished house in sambisa for sale at very cheap price 😂😂😂😂😂
Re: How I Struck Fortune From Cleaning, Handled Over 10,000 Jobs- Somtee by Magnumproperty: 6:31pm On Nov 19, 2025
The breakthrough came in through your helper who is a business person in Lagos. Logos..... land of opportunities!
Re: How I Struck Fortune From Cleaning, Handled Over 10,000 Jobs- Somtee by moststylish(m): 6:37pm On Nov 19, 2025
Apcshit:
You sure say no yahoo yahoo was involved? I don't trust all these stories like hushpuppi
I tell you bro,all this grass to grace stories in Naija. They will not tell you the behind the scenes
Re: How I Struck Fortune From Cleaning, Handled Over 10,000 Jobs- Somtee by 123yes(m): 6:39pm On Nov 19, 2025
Apcshit:
You sure say no yahoo yahoo was involved? I don't trust all these stories like hushpuppi
Make you continue to condemn people who has people instead of praying to God to give insight to discover your God given gift
Re: How I Struck Fortune From Cleaning, Handled Over 10,000 Jobs- Somtee by Love800(m): 6:44pm On Nov 19, 2025
That your friend is a good guy.

The business is a good one, but na the staff(workers) i pity.

Some ogas go under-pay you, after you don work from 9am-9pm.

This job is not usual house cleaning. It entails stamina and strength as you will be wiping off strong stains from floors, side-walls, cabinets, window glasses using different chemicals.
bigpicture001:
My friend into this huzle is paid 1.5 million to 3m for simply cleaning...

I was wowed!

He pays his workers 8k daily.. usually undergraduates students...
Re: How I Struck Fortune From Cleaning, Handled Over 10,000 Jobs- Somtee by Anonimoux: 6:48pm On Nov 19, 2025
Nice business but sometimes the owners can be greedy ehn
Re: How I Struck Fortune From Cleaning, Handled Over 10,000 Jobs- Somtee by Heffalump(m): 6:59pm On Nov 19, 2025
This is the definition of hard work. Only an Igboman can endure in a business like this and see it through success.
Re: How I Struck Fortune From Cleaning, Handled Over 10,000 Jobs- Somtee by phorget(m): 7:03pm On Nov 19, 2025
That is the spirit!
We Hussle hard and never give up.
Re: How I Struck Fortune From Cleaning, Handled Over 10,000 Jobs- Somtee by iLoveYouToo(m): 7:22pm On Nov 19, 2025
My dream business when I dey school. See this life, capital is everything.
Re: How I Struck Fortune From Cleaning, Handled Over 10,000 Jobs- Somtee by Robenna(m): 7:22pm On Nov 19, 2025
bigpicture001:
My friend into this huzle is paid 1.5 million to 3m for simply cleaning...

I was wowed!

He pays his workers 8k daily.. usually undergraduates students...
Involve me, 11 more characters needed
Re: How I Struck Fortune From Cleaning, Handled Over 10,000 Jobs- Somtee by giantstar: 7:24pm On Nov 19, 2025
This what I always want to see on nairaland, very educative, inspiring and real focus. Not e-fighters.
Re: How I Struck Fortune From Cleaning, Handled Over 10,000 Jobs- Somtee by Pootle: 7:31pm On Nov 19, 2025
imagine him introducing himself to a babe

my name is so and so, and i clean for a living
Re: How I Struck Fortune From Cleaning, Handled Over 10,000 Jobs- Somtee by Apcshit: 7:42pm On Nov 19, 2025
moststylish:
I tell you bro,all this grass to grace stories in Naija. They will not tell you the behind the scenes
How can cleaning job make someone so insanely wealthy
Re: How I Struck Fortune From Cleaning, Handled Over 10,000 Jobs- Somtee by Melagros(m): 9:19pm On Nov 19, 2025
COMRADES, God is good, congratulations brother
Re: How I Struck Fortune From Cleaning, Handled Over 10,000 Jobs- Somtee by Phred1717: 9:37pm On Nov 19, 2025
Apcshit:
You sure say no yahoo yahoo was involved? I don't trust all these stories like hushpuppi
what do you expect when you only breathe failure in your generation. Always looking at success stories from the negative angle. Signs of laziness
Re: How I Struck Fortune From Cleaning, Handled Over 10,000 Jobs- Somtee by Michaelajah: 9:51pm On Nov 19, 2025
I
bigpicture001:
My friend into this huzle is paid 1.5 million to 3m for simply cleaning...

I was wowed!

He pays his workers 8k daily.. usually undergraduates students...
8k is too poor bro, daily payment is 12 or least 10k. Is not even enough self due to bad country.
Re: How I Struck Fortune From Cleaning, Handled Over 10,000 Jobs- Somtee by twinke209(m): 11:18pm On Nov 19, 2025
I’m proud of you, Somto. I knew when you started
1 2 Reply

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