Telecom
Nigerian Journalists Recount Experiences @QNET’s 2024 V-Convention
The 2024 V-Convention held in Penang, Malaysia has come and gone but its sights and sounds is still reverberating as Nigerian Journalists who had the rare opportunity of attending the event shared their experiences and the immense opportunities QNET is providing to people through direct selling.
The event, which brought together over 8,000 participants from 30 countries, showcased the global reach and cross-border partnerships, which are crucial for direct selling businesses to thrive, particularly in emerging markets like Nigeria.
While speaking at the 2nd VCON 2024 Media Experience webinar on Thursday, the two journalists that witnessed the event shared their personal experiences, insights and take away from the convention in Penang, Malaysia.
Recounting his experience at the event, Sulaiman Aledeh, A TV journalist with Arise, described the experience as thrilling. “The V-Convention was more than a business event,” he remarked.
“It was a gathering of individuals united by their passion for personal growth, entrepreneurship, and wellness. The energy and enthusiasm were unmistakable, and it was inspiring to witness so many people coming together to support one another’s goals.”
He further highlighted QNET’s business strategies while lauding their efforts in supporting education and law enforcement partnerships.
Aledeh added, “One of the things that struck me most about the V-Convention was the sense of community and camaraderie among the attendees. Everyone was there to learn, grow, and support each other, and it created a truly inspiring atmosphere.”
Peter Oluka, Editor of TechEconomy and another attendee of VCON 2004, echoed similar sentiments, describing the event as more than just a business convention.
For him, the gathering of entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds created a powerful network of like-minded individuals passionate about innovation and entrepreneurship.
He was particularly impressed by QNET’s focus on environmentally friendly products, signaling that the direct selling industry has much to offer in terms of sustainable development.
He praised the diversity of the attendees, the informative workshops, and the focus on innovation and sustainability, and highlighted the opportunity to explore Penang and experience Malaysian culture.
According to Oluka, “The V-Convention was a life-changing experience for me. It opened my eyes to the possibilities of direct selling and entrepreneurship, and I am now more motivated than ever to pursue my own business goals.”
Earlier, Theodocia Quartey, QNET’s Senior Legal Counsel for Sub-Saharan Africa, highlighted the importance of the VCON media webinar, noting that “The event offered participants a chance to expand their product knowledge, interact with experts, and take advantage of vibrant networking opportunities. It reflects QNET’s steadfast commitment to innovation and sustainability.”
“Twice yearly, we brings together a diverse assembly of marketing professionals, experienced business leaders, and global entrepreneurs associated with the QI Group’s flagship business in Penang, Malaysia.
“During V-Conventions, QNET extends invitations to selected journalists from media outlets in Nigeria to experience this important event.
“The just-concluded V-Convention in September 2024 brought together over 8,000 attendees from over 30 countries. The theme of the event was “Unstoppable,” emphasizing QNET’s unwavering commitment to innovation and sustainability.
“V-Convention continues to provide a platform to empower individuals and communities worldwide and champion innovation and sustainability through deepening product knowledge, engaging with experts, and experiencing dynamic demonstrations.
“Attendees benefit from business training sessions, motivational speeches, and product exhibitions, providing them with invaluable personal and professional growth opportunities”.
Mr. Akeem Ajisafe, Managing Director of Transblue Limited, QNET’s legal partner in Nigeria, emphasized the significant potential of the direct selling industry for Nigerian entrepreneurs during the second VCON 2024 Media Experience sharing webinar.
Ajisafe emphasized the importance of direct selling as a path to personal and financial empowerment, and pointed out the industry’s rapid expansion, with the global market expected to reach $204.89 billion by 2032.
“Direct selling provides entrepreneurs with a unique opportunity to harness their skills and build successful businesses with minimal investment,” he stated.
Ajisafe also discussed the misconceptions about direct selling in Nigeria, stressing the need to differentiate between legitimate direct selling companies and pyramid schemes. “QNET is dedicated to ethical practices and transparency,” he affirmed.
“We are working to educate the public about the benefits of direct selling and to dispel negative stereotypes. We believe that Nigeria has a bright future in the direct selling industry. By embracing this model, entrepreneurs can create jobs, generate wealth, and contribute to the country’s economic growth.”
MTN Nigeria, in collaboration with ONErpm and Ultima Studios, has announced Ayodeji Benson, popularly known as Ayo Benzi, as the winner of the maiden edition of the Next Afrobeats Star reality show.
L-R: Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, Chief Marketing Officer, MTN Nigeria; Ayodeji Benson, Winner, Next Afrobeats Star Reality Show (Season 1) and Emamoke Ogoro, General Manager, Brand and Communication, MTN Nigeria, at the grand finale of the Next Afrobeats Star Reality Show (Season 1), held at the Ultima Studios, Lekki, Lagos on Saturday, December 13, 2025.
The grand finale, held on Sunday night at Ultima Studios in Lekki, Lagos, marked the climax of a nationwide talent search that began in September with over 15,000 aspiring musicians.
After weeks of auditions, mentorship, and rigorous training, five finalists – Ayo Benzi, Dave Cash, Kaeko, Somto O’Laker, and Lucky Yay – battled for the top prize in a high-energy showcase of performance and artistry.
At the end of the electrifying contest, Ayo Benzi emerged victorious, securing a ₦150 million music deal. Dave Cash was named first runner-up with ₦100 million, while Kaeko, Somto O’Laker, and Lucky Yay received ₦75 million, ₦50 million, and ₦25 million respectively.
Throughout the season, contestants were mentored by leading Afrobeats producers Sarz, Puffy Tee, P Prime, and Andre Vibez. Benzi, who was part of Puffy Tee’s team, credited the mentorship programme for sharpening his craft and stage presence.
Speaking at the event, Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, Chief Marketing Officer of MTN Nigeria, said the initiative reflects the company’s commitment to youth empowerment and cultural expression.
“The Next Afrobeats Star platform is about creating real opportunities for young Nigerians and giving their talent the structure, visibility, and support it deserves.
“Afrobeats continues to place Nigeria on the global cultural map, and MTN is proud to be enabling the next generation of artists who will take this sound even further,” she said.
She added that the finale was not just a competition but a celebration of growth and readiness for the global stage.
In his acceptance speech, Ayo Benzi described the victory as a defining moment in his career.
“A big thank you to MTN. From the audition days, the treatment MTN has given us has been amazing. God bless the brand,” he said.
The finale also featured guest performances by Afrobeats stars Iyanya and Bella Shmurda, adding glamour to the night and reinforcing the show’s connection to the wider music ecosystem.
With the successful conclusion of the season, MTN Nigeria and its partners reaffirmed their role in championing youth ambition, supporting creative industries, and shaping the future of Nigerian music through platforms that turn potential into opportunity.
T2, formerly known as 9mobile, is under investigation by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in Benue State for an undisclosed incident disrupting USSD, SMS, voice, and data services across nine local government areas.
T2
The affected areas include Ado, Agatu, Gwer East, Gwer West, Konshisha, Obi, Ohimini, Okpokwu, and Otukpo, as detailed in an advisory on the NCC Major Outages Portal, which tracks significant disruptions reported by Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and Internet Service Providers (ISPs).
Neither T2 nor its public relations firm, Chain Reactions, has responded to inquiries on the outage’s cause or restoration efforts as of this report.
The NCC’s continued reference to the operator as 9mobile, months after its public rebranding to T2 in August 2025, has sparked questions about whether the name change was formally notified to the regulator.
This probe aligns with NCC mandates requiring operators to disclose major outages, their impacts, and timelines for fixes, with compensation obligatory for disruptions exceeding 24 hours under the Consumer Code of Practice Regulations.
Industry watchers note that such incidents, often linked to fibre cuts, power failures, or infrastructure faults, underscore ongoing challenges in Nigeria’s telecoms sector, particularly amid T2’s subscriber losses post-rebrand. NCC vows transparency via its portal to hold operators accountable and protect consumers.
Telecom
NCC Unveils Draft 5-Year Spectrum Roadmap, 60 GHz License-Exempt Guidelines to Boost Broadband, Innovation
Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has unveiled two pivotal regulatory draft documents aimed at reshaping Nigeria’s communications sector over the next five years and fast-tracking deployment of ultra-high-speed wireless technologies.
NCC
In a public notice dated December 19, 2025, and issued pursuant to its mandate under the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003, the Commission published the Draft 5-Year Spectrum Roadmap for the Communications Sector (2025–2030) and Draft Guidelines for the Use of the 60 GHz License-Exempt Band for Multi-Gigabit Wireless Systems.
Both documents are accessible on the NCC website for stakeholder review, with the roadmap outlining strategic spectrum planning, allocation, and management to optimise utilisation, support emerging technologies like 5G and IoT, expand broadband access, and align with global best practices.
The Spectrum Roadmap emphasises four core pillars: bridging the digital divide through low-band spectrum and satellite services, attracting investments via flexible licensing models, enhancing service quality with mid-band optimisation, and fostering innovation in areas such as direct-to-device connectivity and secondary spectrum trading.
It sets ambitious targets including universal 4G coverage nationwide, 50 per cent 5G penetration in state capitals, and average broadband speeds of 100 Mbps by 2030, while addressing rising data demand through band refarming and efficient management.
Complementing this, the 60 GHz Guidelines establish a license-exempt framework for the 57–66 GHz band, enabling multi-gigabit speeds up to 10 Gbps for short-range applications like WiGig, fixed wireless access, enterprise connectivity, urban broadband, and backhaul solutions.
The rules mandate NCC type approval for equipment, site registration for outdoor use, and interference mitigation measures, while prohibiting wide-area networks to safeguard primary users.
In line with Section 58 of the NCA 2003, NCC invites comments from industry operators, equipment manufacturers, consumer groups, and the public, with submissions due by Friday, January 16, 2025, via email to [email protected], [email protected], and [email protected].
The notice, signed by Mrs Nnenna Ukoha, Head of Public Affairs, stresses that stakeholder inputs will refine the frameworks to drive innovation, investment, competition, and sustainable growth in Nigeria’s telecoms ecosystem.
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