In a bid to foster love and community engagement, QNET, a wellness and lifestyle focused direct-selling company, partnered with Rhythm FM Lagos for a special Valentine’s Day radio show.

This interactive event delighted listeners with heartwarming conversations, engaging games, and exciting giveaways of exclusive QNET products, including the Chi Pendant 4, Bernhard H. Mayer watches, Amezcua E-Guard X, and the Edg3 Plus nutritional supplement.

Valentine’s Day, celebrated annually on February 14, has become a significant cultural event worldwide. In Nigeria, the celebration of love and friendship has seen increased participation, with over 60% of Nigerians marking the occasion through various forms of expression, from gifting to community activities (Statista, 2024). Embracing this spirit, the QNET radio show encouraged listeners to share cherished experiences, fostering emotional connections and meaningful engagement with the audience.

Biram Fall, Regional General Manager of QNET Sub-Saharan Africa, commented, “QNET’s mission revolves around love, connection, and giving. Through this show, we connected with our audience in a fun, heartfelt way, spreading positivity while celebrating this special day. The enthusiastic response and high levels of interaction from our listeners were truly inspiring. We look forward to hosting more initiatives that build on this success.”

The Valentine’s Day radio show aligns with QNET’s global theme for 2025, “Together We Rise,” emphasizing the importance of creating strong and meaningful connections between the brand and its stakeholders.

“As part of its commitment to the Nigerian market, QNET continues to raise awareness about its direct-selling business model, which supports over 5 million entrepreneurs globally (World Federation of Direct Selling Associations, 2024) and positions itself as a trusted provider of high-quality lifestyle and wellness products.

Akeem Ajisafe, CEO of Transblue Limited, added, “QNET is dedicated to building meaningful relationships.

“This radio show was a fantastic opportunity to celebrate love and engage with our Nigerian audience. Valentine’s Day is about giving and sharing, and through this initiative, we created memorable experiences while reinforcing our commitment to enriching lives with premium wellness products.

“We’re excited to deepen these connections and expand our footprint in Nigeria.”

QNET is a purpose-driven direct-selling company guided by the Raise Yourself to Help Mankind (RYTHM) principle, central to its core values. The company remains committed to positively impacting communities through innovative initiatives that foster connection and engagement, continuing its mission to enrich lives across Nigeria and beyond.

For more information about QNET and its initiatives, please visit QNET’s official website.

Karl Toriola, chief executive, MTN Nigeria has defended recent tariff hikes by mobile network operators, stating they are essential for the “survival” of the telecoms industry in Nigeria, despite significant criticism.

Karl Toriola, chief executive, MTN Nigeria

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) granted mobile network operators permission to raise tariffs by up to 50% last month, a change reportedly implemented on 11 February.

The increase has sparked public outrage, as mobile connectivity has become a vital necessity in daily life across the West African nation.

In an interview with Developing Telecoms, Toriola pushed back against criticism that the price surge was excessive, arguing that tariffs should have increased by approximately 300% to reflect the naira’s sharp devaluation and the country’s soaring inflation.

Addressing the impact of currency devaluation, Toriola emphasised that MTN purchases network equipment and software in US dollars, a process that has become significantly more expensive. With the naira’s decline, operators are now receiving three times fewer dollars than they did in 2023, making operations more challenging.

In February 2023, businesses could exchange 460 naira for one US dollar, but the currency has since devalued sharply. At the time of writing, a single dollar was worth 1,510 naira.

As Nigeria grapples with the sharp devaluation, MTN has been severely affected.

The company was technically bankrupt in 2023 as its liabilities surpassed its assets—a deeply concerning issue for the wider MTN Group, as Nigeria remains one of its highest revenue-generating markets.

“Because of these factors, we’ve seen our costs rise dramatically. The cost of leasing tower space and supplying energy to cell sites increased by 120% in the first three quarters of 2024. So, in comparison, a 50% tariff increase is not that high,” said Toriola.

The IoT West Africa & Data Centre Cloud Expo 2025, co-located with Power and Water Nigeria, is poised to play a crucial role in boosting Africa’s digital economy, projected to reach $180 billion by 2025 and contribute 5.2% to the continent’s GDP.

Organized by Vertex Next, the three-day event will take place from May 13th to 15th, 2025, at the Balmoral Convention Centre, Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos. It will convene government leaders, industry experts, investors, and innovators to explore the latest advancements in IoT, AI, cloud computing, digital infrastructure, and energy solutions.

In a statement made available to journalists in Lagos, Vertex Next Managing Director, Shitij Taneja, stated that this influential event will significantly contribute to the continent’s digital economic growth.

He assured that the expo will feature a comprehensive conference program focused on the transformative power of IoT, AI, and digital technologies across various African industries.

According to Taneja, discussions will center on how these technologies drive economic expansion, improve connectivity, and increase efficiency in key sectors like telecom, energy, finance, and e-commerce. Government officials and business leaders are also expected to collaborate on strategies for scaling digital infrastructure and leveraging data for innovation and sustainable development.

As demand for secure, efficient, and scalable digital infrastructure surges, Africa’s data center market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 12% through 2030, reaching a valuation of over $5 billion.

The expo will feature high-level discussions on critical infrastructure development, investment opportunities, cybersecurity, and AI-driven data center expansion. Thought leaders from global cloud and data center giants will share insights into building future-ready facilities that power industries and drive economic progress.

With Africa’s power sector undergoing transformation, discussions will focus on smart grids, energy storage, and sustainable power solutions to support the continent’s growing digital economy.

The African Development Bank estimates that investment in energy and utilities must increase to $70 billion annually to meet rising demand. Industry leaders will explore the role of IoT and AI in optimizing utilities, managing resources efficiently, and developing smart, connected cities.

The rise of digital banking, fintech, and e-commerce is reshaping consumer experiences and financial transactions across Africa. The fintech sector alone attracted over $3 billion in investments in 2023, and e-commerce is projected to exceed $75 billion in value by 2028.

This expo will highlight how automation, AI, and IoT are creating secure, seamless, and scalable financial solutions, ensuring that businesses stay ahead in the fast-paced digital landscape.

Taneja disclosed that the IoT West Africa & Data Centre Cloud Expo 2025 aligns with Nigeria’s National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) and Agenda 2063 of the African Union, both of which prioritize technological innovation, digital infrastructure, and economic diversification.

By bringing together policymakers and industry stakeholders, the event aims to support regulatory frameworks for digital transformation, foster collaboration between the public and private sectors, encourage foreign direct investment (FDI) in ICT and energy, and accelerate initiatives such as Smart Cities and e-Governance.