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By Chinenye Anuforo
As Nigerians seek alternative income sources and new ways to build businesses, direct selling is attracting attention as a model that combines product distribution, entrepreneurship and opportunities for independent distributors.
The opportunities and responsibilities associated with the business model featured prominently at the QNET V-Con Media Sharing Experience Webinar 2026, themed “Beyond the Headlines: Insights From V-Con 2026”, where four Nigerian journalists shared their experiences following their visit to the company’s V-Con 2026 in Penang, Malaysia.
The webinar brought together discussions on entrepreneurship, product innovation, responsible business practices and QNET’s relationship with the Nigerian market, with the journalists offering firsthand accounts of what they observed at the international convention.
Welcoming participants, Marlene Kaur, Head of Communications for QNET International Group and Global Head of Public Relations, said the media engagement was designed to provide a closer look at the company, its products, people and strategic direction beyond the headlines.
She said V-Con 2026, held at the SPICE Arena in Penang, brought together more than 8,000 entrepreneurs and officials from over 30 countries, marking a milestone in the company’s 28-year journey.
According to Kaur, the Nigerian journalists who attended the convention explored exhibition halls, experienced interactive activities and engaged with the company’s leadership, gaining firsthand insights into its global operations.
She said the convention’s theme, “Reform, Transform, Perform”, reflected the company’s priorities, including strengthening responsible business practices, using technology to improve product discovery and business operations, and translating innovation into quality products and economic opportunities.
Kaur noted that these priorities were particularly relevant as young people continued to seek legitimate ways to earn income, establish businesses and strengthen their financial resilience.
She said direct selling could be misunderstood when fraudulent actors or unauthorised entities misused established brands or misrepresented legitimate business models.
According to her, QNET was committed to responsible business practices, consumer protection, compliance and distributor education, adding that growth must go hand in hand with accountability.
She also highlighted the role of technology in modernising the company’s e-commerce platforms, improving supply-chain visibility and supporting independent distributors operating across different markets.
On product innovation, Kaur said V-Con 2026 showcased three products: the Amezcua GX1 Wellness Mat, PhysioRadiance Aura Skincare and the Interra Chronograph.
She described the products as reflecting the company’s focus on lifestyle offerings spanning wellness, skincare and personal care, and luxury timepieces.
Kaur also emphasised the importance of communicating product information accurately, noting that consumer confidence depended on the quality, performance and transparency associated with products offered through direct selling.
She described Nigeria as one of QNET’s valued markets and said the company intended to maintain its long-term engagement with the country through support for local entrepreneurs, social-impact initiatives and community engagement.
Also speaking at the webinar, Cherif Nassirou Abdoulaye, QNET’s Regional General Manager for Central and West Africa, highlighted the importance of ethical entrepreneurship, product quality and consumer protection in building a sustainable direct-selling business.
He said the company was committed to promoting responsible business practices while addressing challenges arising from individuals who misuse its name or misrepresent its products and business opportunities.
Abdoulaye said QNET continued to strengthen its customer-verification processes and distributor education as part of efforts to promote responsible engagement with the business.
He also highlighted Q-Learn, the company’s digital learning platform, which provides training in areas including digital marketing, professional ethics and business management.
According to him, consumer awareness and accurate information were important to ensuring that people understood the company’s products and business model.
His remarks reinforced QNET’s position that direct selling should be supported by ethical conduct, product quality and clear communication, particularly as more people explore alternative routes into entrepreneurship.
The journalists who participated in the webinar offered different perspectives on the convention, particularly its scale, product presentations and the importance of understanding a company through firsthand observation.
Francis Sule said he approached his visit with scepticism because his previous understanding of QNET had been shaped by concerns and questionable accounts he had heard.
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However, he said attending the convention, observing its activities and visiting the company’s facilities gave him a broader perspective on its operations.
Sule was particularly interested in the product presentations, which included the Interra Chronograph, PhysioRadiance Aura Skincare and Edge Plus.
He said the presentations provided explanations of product components, technology and certifications, giving him an opportunity to learn more about the products showcased.
His major takeaway was the need to “verify before you engage”, which he said was relevant to journalists and members of the public considering business opportunities.
Sule stressed that the media had a responsibility to provide accurate information that would help the public distinguish legitimate business activities from fraudulent operators who might misuse a company’s name.
Friday Olokor said attending V-Con 2026 broadened his understanding of QNET’s operations, leadership, products and international presence.
He said the scale of the gathering, the company’s account of its 28-year history and its presentation of its business activities and future plans were among the aspects that stood out to him.
Olokor also highlighted QNET’s stated efforts to protect customers and address activities by individuals allegedly misusing its name, emphasising the importance of public awareness.
Royal Ibeh, a business journalist who attended an earlier V-Con in 2024, focused on the technology presented behind QNET’s products, including its HomePure water-purification range and wellness products.
He said the experience drew his attention to the relationship between technology, product development and everyday consumer needs, particularly water-quality challenges in African communities.
Ibeh also recounted conversations with participants who described improvements in their financial circumstances through their involvement in the business. He expressed hope that opportunities associated with direct selling could expand in Nigeria, particularly for young people seeking ways to develop business skills and earn income.
Prince Osuagwu, Hi-Tech Editor of Vanguard Newspapers, reflected on his experience attending an earlier V-Con in 2022, saying the visit challenged some of his initial assumptions about QNET.
He recalled approaching the company with reservations about its business model and products but said interacting with entrepreneurs, examining the products and observing the convention helped him develop a more informed perspective.
Osuagwu also identified the persistence described by the company’s founder in building the business as a lesson in determination for Nigerian workers and entrepreneurs.
Their accounts highlighted different dimensions of direct selling, from product innovation and customer engagement to entrepreneurship, business development and the importance of informed decision-making.
Direct selling involves marketing and distributing products or services directly to consumers, often through independent distributors rather than conventional retail outlets. Depending on a company’s compensation structure, participants may earn commissions from product sales and other qualifying business activities.
For people seeking to establish businesses, the model can provide an opportunity to develop sales skills, build customer relationships and learn how to market products. The sustainability of such an undertaking, however, depends on factors including product demand, operating costs, the compensation structure and the ability to build a viable customer base.
Understanding these factors can help prospective distributors assess how a direct-selling opportunity aligns with their financial circumstances and business objectives.
QNET said it continued to invest in compliance frameworks, distributor education, training and consumer-protection measures. The company also cited its Say No campaign and FinGreen financial-literacy programme in Nigeria, alongside Q-Learn, as part of its efforts to promote responsible business practices and improve public awareness.
Kaur said constructive dialogue with the media was important in addressing concerns, correcting misinformation and improving public understanding of the company’s activities.
The media experience-sharing webinar provided an opportunity for the journalists to reflect on their observations and for QNET to explain its approach to product innovation, entrepreneurship and responsible business practices.
As Nigerians continue to explore alternative income sources, the experiences shared at the webinar brought attention to direct selling as one of the business models through which people can engage in product distribution and independent enterprise.
The discussion also underscored the importance of accurate information, product knowledge and a clear understanding of business arrangements in helping prospective participants make informed decisions.
