In Nigeria’s growing tech-driven service sector, some startups are emerging with solutions tailored to everyday challenges. One such company is Fichaya, a cleaning and facility management firm founded in 2017 by Ejimonye Ofodum, with Stephanie Ogundoyin later joining as co-founder. The duo has introduced Fichaya, a more structured and professional approach to an often-overlooked industry.
The idea for Fichaya stemmed from Ofodum’s personal experience. While working as a product manager at Flutterwave, she found it challenging to maintain a consistently clean and organised living space due to the demands of her job. The limited availability of reliable and professional cleaning services prompted her to explore a solution catering to busy professionals like herself.
What began as a small venture called “Mora’s Cleaning” eventually evolved into Fichaya—a name derived from the Igbo word for “clean it.” The rebrand marked a shift toward a broader, more formal vision. When Ogundoyin joined the team, she brought additional operational and strategic insight that helped expand the company’s scope.
Tech for good
Fichaya is a tech-enabled platform that connects customers to curated cleaning and facility management services. Clients can request routine home cleaning, deep cleaning, fumigation, or move-in/move-out packages through its online booking system. The company primarily serves busy professionals, families, and corporate clients across Nigeria.
Beyond service delivery, Fichaya is also investing in the professional development of its workforce. The company launched the Fichaya Academy, a training initiative aimed at equipping individuals, many of whom were previously unemployed or underemployed, with the technical and soft skills needed to thrive in the cleaning sector. Since its inception, the academy has trained more than 270 individuals nationwide.
Participants in the program receive instruction in cleaning techniques, customer service, communication, and financial literacy. The model aims to professionalise domestic labour while offering dignified, structured employment opportunities.
According to reports from 2019, full-time cleaning associates working with Fichaya earned ₦120,000 (approximately $74) and above per month, exceeding the average income for similar roles in Nigeria’s informal economy.
Between 2020 and 2021, Fichaya reportedly completed over 4,000 cleaning bookings, and its customer base has grown since then. The company’s approach has drawn praise from clients for its consistency and professionalism.
“Fichaya has maintained reliability and good service. Until I find another that can match this, I remain a loyal customer,” said Renee, a longtime platform user.
Fichaya is part of a broader trend across Africa where women-led startups are innovating traditionally informal sectors. A similar model appears in countries like South Africa, where female entrepreneurs disrupt cleaning-tech ventures.
As demand increases for structured, tech-supported home and office services, Fichaya’s founders continue to adapt and expand their model. Focusing on efficiency, workforce empowerment, and quality service, the company is carving a space in Nigeria’s evolving domestic services market.
