Group Trains 837 Youths in Abuja, Targets 20m By 2030

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

The Seyi Tinubu Operation Back to Agriculture Initiative (SOBAI) has trained 837 students at its Kubwa centre in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as part of its youth empowerment and food security drive.

The training and induction ceremony held recently in Abuja marked another milestone for the group using agriculture to tackle unemployment and promote self-reliance.

Its National Coordinator, Mr Emmanuel Bidi said 1,121 students registered for the Abuja programme, with 837 completing the training, adding that they are awaiting empowerment support to start their own agricultural enterprises.

He explained that the vision goes beyond training, with the aim of helping beneficiaries build sustainable businesses that create jobs and contribute to food production.

Bidi disclosed that it has, alongside Praise Agrovet, trained and empowered 64,734 youths since inception across FCT, Nasarawa, Niger, Kogi, Benue and Kano States in poultry production, fish farming, goat rearing and other value chains.

The group said it plans to establish and activate 34 training centres with programmes accredited by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), targeting 20 million Nigerian youths by 2030.

It also plans to sustain free agricultural training quarterly nationwide and establish SOBAI-branded agricultural farms across the 36 states to serve as research, training and industrial attachment centres, including for NYSC members.

The initiative stressed the need for quality animal feed, veterinary products and competent personnel to improve livestock health and farm productivity.

Bidi announced a target of mobilising five million votes for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election in the 2027 general elections.

Bidi said the group would leverage its youth platforms, training programmes and grassroots outreach, in collaboration with the City Boy Movement and other support groups, to drive advocacy and mobilisation.

He clarified that the five-million-vote figure is a mobilisation target and not a guaranteed electoral outcome, noting that voting remains a personal choice of eligible citizens and that its empowerment programmes must be administered in line with applicable laws.

Bidi called on government agencies, private-sector partners, community leaders and youth organisations to support agricultural education and entrepreneurship, urging young Nigerians to embrace agriculture for job creation and wealth generation.

He said the long-term success of SOBAI will depend on effective implementation, transparent administration, partnerships and lawful political engagement.