As families across the world celebrate Mother’s Day, QNET, a global lifestyle and wellness-focused direct selling company, honours mothers as the everyday force behind healthier homes, stronger families, and more resilient communities. From managing households and supporting family wellbeing to balancing careers and personal responsibilities, mothers play a central role in sustaining daily life. Yet, amid these responsibilities, their own wellness is often overlooked.

In today’s fast-paced environment, the demands of modern living continue to take a toll on human energy and well-being. Alarmingly, recent surveys indicate that 75% of Nigerian employees experience work-related stress, with 60% reporting persistent feelings of overwhelm.

These pressures are often compounded by economic realities that require many individuals to juggle multiple responsibilities or income streams. For women, particularly mothers, this burden is even greater. Beyond professional demands, they often take on the primary role of managing household well-being, childcare, and daily routines.

This continuous cycle of responsibility leaves little time for rest, recovery, or intentional self-care, increasing the risk of long-term physical and mental strain.

At the same time, access to basic wellness essentials remains a challenge. According to data from the WHO and UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme, 28% of Nigerians lack access to basic drinking water, approximately 75% lack basic sanitation, two-thirds do not live in premises with a handwashing facility that includes soap and water, while 20% practice open defecation.

In many homes, ensuring safe water and overall family health largely falls to mothers, further reinforcing their central role in household well-being. This reality highlights the importance of recognising and celebrating mothers who consistently take on this responsibility, often placing the needs of their families above their own.

Commenting on the significance of the global observance, Ayokunmi Solesi, General Manager for QNET Nigeria, said, “Mothers are the backbone of many households. They give their time, energy, and care so consistently that their own well-being can sometimes take a back seat. Mother’s Day is an important reminder that supporting mothers’ health and wellness is not just a personal priority, but a family and societal one.”

He added that this perspective aligns with QNET’s 2026 global campaign, “Energised, Every Day,” which focuses on practical solutions that support everyday living. “When mothers are well-supported and energised, it positively impacts the entire household. Wellness should be part of daily life.”

As conversations around health continue to evolve, there is a growing shift towards preventive and lifestyle-based wellness – simple, consistent actions that support long-term vitality. This includes prioritising proper nutrition, hydration, rest, and balance as part of everyday routines, particularly for individuals managing demanding schedules.

Supporting this approach, QNET offers a range of products designed to fit seamlessly into daily life. Its nutritional supplement, EDG3 Plus, provides essential nutrients that contribute to daily vitality and help individuals maintain energy levels throughout busy days.

Recognising the importance of safe hydration in overall health, the HomePure Nova helps improve the quality of drinking water at home, supporting healthier households and reducing exposure to common water impurities.

In many Nigerian homes, where women play a key role in managing family health, access to cleaner water remains an essential part of everyday wellbeing.

Complementing this is the Amezcua Bio Disc 3, part of QNET’s wellness range, designed to support overall wellbeing across different aspects of daily life. Its versatile use within the home – from supporting food preservation to enhancing water quality and contributing to a more balanced living environment – makes it a practical wellness companion for families, particularly mothers managing multiple household needs.

As Mother’s Day is observed this year, QNET encourages families and communities to not only celebrate mothers but also to actively support their wellbeing. By creating healthier homes and encouraging better daily habits, the company reinforces its belief that true wellness begins with everyday choices and with those who hold the family together.

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately order an investigation into the alleged disappearance or diversion of N26.9 billion from the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF).

SERAP warned the scandal could worsen Nigeria’s digital divide and deny millions access to basic connectivity.

In a letter dated May 9, 2026, and signed by Kolawole Oluwadare, deputy director, SERAP urged the president to direct Dr. Bosun Tijani, minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, as well as Yomi Arowosafe, secretary of the USPF,  to explain the whereabouts of the funds.

The organisation also asked Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), attorney general of the Federation and minister of Justice, alongside anti-corruption agencies, to investigate the allegations and prosecute anyone found culpable.

SERAP said the accusations were contained in the 2022 audited report by the Auditor-General of the Federation, published on September 9, 2025.

According to the group, the report exposed several financial irregularities, including unremitted operating surpluses, undocumented expenditures, questionable contract awards, and payments for services allegedly not rendered.

“The USPF is vital to expanding telecommunications access in underserved and rural communities, and any diversion of its funds directly undermines its mandate to bridge the digital divide, support infrastructure development, and promote inclusive connectivity,” the letter stated.

Among the allegations cited by SERAP was the failure of the USPF to remit over ₦13.8 billion in operating surplus between 2016 and 2019.

The Auditor-General reportedly warned that the money may have been diverted and recommended recovery and remittance to the treasury.

The report also allegedly questioned over ₦11.7 million claimed for international training in October 2020 without supporting documents such as invitations, invoices, or certificates of participation.

SERAP noted that the spending was especially suspicious because of travel restrictions during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Other claims included contracts worth ₦2.8 billion allegedly awarded without due approval, ₦8 million paid to a non-existent fund manager, ₦6.4 billion spent on projects not captured in the approved 2020 budget, and over ₦2.8 billion reportedly spent between January and May 2021 without documentation.

SERAP further alleged that the USPF failed to collect and remit over ₦333 million in stamp duties and did not deduct more than ₦144 million in withholding tax from consultant payments.

It also cited payments exceeding ₦390 million to consultants for projects allegedly lacking proof of execution.

According to the group, mismanagement of the fund has serious implications for millions of Nigerians, especially residents of rural and underserved areas who depend on the USPF to access telecom infrastructure and internet services.

“Poor access to reliable and affordable internet connectivity directly affects Nigerians’ ability to exercise a range of fundamental human rights, including freedom of expression, access to information, education, and participation in public affairs,” SERAP said.

The organisation warned that lack of accountability could deepen inequality, limit economic opportunities, and further exclude vulnerable communities from essential digital services.

SERAP gave the federal government seven days to act on its demands or risk legal action aimed at compelling the government, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), and the USPF to respond in the public interest.

Federal Government has warned telecommunications operators to improve service quality or face regulatory sanctions, stating that recent reforms have stabilized the sector and removed excuses for poor network performance.

Telcos

Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, issued the warning in a statement on Sunday, emphasizing that Nigeria’s connectivity gaps were largely structural, driven by years of underinvestment and constraints on operators.

The government has tackled these problems through long-term infrastructure planning and immediate sector-stabilization measures aimed at restoring sustainability and investor confidence.

These long-term reforms focus on expanding infrastructure through new fibre deployment and tower rollout initiatives designed to close critical gaps in the digital backbone.

Funding has been secured with support from the World Bank for Project BRIDGE, alongside additional investments in satellite capacity to boost nationwide coverage. These interventions are expected to transform connectivity over the next two to five years, enabling businesses and households to access reliable high-speed internet beyond unstable mobile connections.

“When we assumed office, it was clear that Nigeria’s connectivity challenges were structural, driven by years of underinvestment in infrastructure and constraints that limited the ability of operators to deliver quality service,” the Minister noted.

“We have addressed this on two fronts. First, the long-term structural solution. We have secured funding, led by the World Bank, and established the framework for a special purpose vehicle with Project BRIDGE, to deliver nationwide open access fibre infrastructure.

Deployment of fibre will commence, alongside new tower rollouts through NUCAP, before the end of the year even as we also expand our satellite capability.”

Regarding immediate interventions, the government has stabilized the sector through tariff adjustments, the designation of telecom infrastructure as critical national infrastructure, tax harmonization efforts, and broader macroeconomic reforms.

These changes have restored operator profitability and created a more transparent, market-driven environment, giving telcos the capacity to invest in network improvements.

“It is now the responsibility of telecom operators such as MTN Nigeria, Airtel Nigeria, Globacom, and 9mobile to take all necessary steps to resolve network challenges and deliver the level of service Nigerians expect,” the minister insisted.

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has been fully empowered to monitor performance, enforce standards, and ensure compliance, with sanctions expected for defaulting operators.