The Seyi Tinubu Operation Back to Agriculture Initiative (SOBAI) has announced plans to train 20 million Nigerian youths in agriculture by 2030 as part of efforts to promote food production, create jobs and encourage entrepreneurship.

The initiative also plans to establish 34 agricultural training centres nationwide, with programmes to be accredited by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE).

Its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Bidi, disclosed this during a training and induction ceremony for youths at the initiative’s Kubwa centre in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), where 837 students completed agricultural training.

Bidi said 1,121 students registered for the Abuja programme, while 837 completed the training and were awaiting empowerment support to establish their own agricultural enterprises.

He said the initiative was designed to equip young Nigerians with practical agricultural skills, promote self-reliance, create employment opportunities and contribute to food security.

According to him, SOBAI, in partnership with Praise Agrovet, has trained and empowered 64,734 youths across the FCT, Nasarawa, Niger, Kogi, Benue and Kano states since its inception.

He said beneficiaries had received training in poultry production, fish farming, goat rearing and other agricultural value chains.

Bidi said the initiative planned to sustain free agricultural training quarterly across the country, alongside the establishment of SOBAI-branded farms in the 36 states.

He explained that the farms would serve as research, training and industrial attachment centres, providing practical learning opportunities for young farmers and members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

The coordinator also emphasised the importance of quality animal feed, veterinary products and competent personnel in improving livestock health and farm productivity.

On the initiative’s political activities, Bidi said SOBAI was targeting five million votes for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in the 2027 general elections.

He said the group would leverage its youth platforms, agricultural training programmes and grassroots outreach, working with the City Boy Movement and other support groups, to drive advocacy and voter mobilisation.

Bidi, however, clarified that the five-million-vote figure was a mobilisation target and not a guaranteed electoral outcome, stressing that voting remained the personal choice of eligible citizens.

He said the initiative’s empowerment programmes and political engagement would be conducted in accordance with applicable laws.

Bidi called on government agencies, private-sector partners, community leaders and youth organisations to support agricultural education and entrepreneurship.

He urged young Nigerians to embrace agriculture as a means of generating employment and wealth, adding that practical training and access to support could help them establish sustainable agricultural businesses.