Papilo Football Academy is for upcoming footballers in Nigeria. The training centre was established around the year 2000 by Nwankwo Kanu (“Papilo”) himself, who is a very popular ex-captain of the Super Eagles of Nigeria.
The main idea behind the academy is to search for young boys who are passionate about football and give them the necessary training to become professional enough to play in Nigeria and on the international scene.
The academy is connected to Papilo Football Club, also known as Papilo FC, which has taken part in Nigerian football leagues in the past.
Training at the academy usually focuses on young age groups such as under 15, under 17 and under 19.
Location & Address
Papilo Football Academy and Papilo FC are mainly based in Owerri, the capital city of Imo State in Nigeria, making it the clearest and most reliable location connected to their main operations.
The academy also appears in Lagos in areas such as Agege and Ikeja. These Lagos locations are mainly for registration or contact points rather than the main academy ground. They are used to reach players and parents in Lagos, not to replace the Owerri base.
There are no official records of Papilo Football Academy operating in Abuja, and online ads claiming otherwise, such as in Maitama, are just marketplace posts. Abuja does have legitimate football academies like Abuja Football College and SiaOne Soccer Academy, but they are not connected to Papilo.
Papilo Football Academy does not appear to publish one fixed, official street address online. Its training activities take place along Egbu‑Owerri Road, in Egbu, Owerri North Local Government Area, inside Nwankwo Kanu’s private estate. To confirm a precise address or the nearest training location in Owerri or Lagos, contact the academy directly through their social media accounts or by calling the phone numbers included in registration and admission notices.
Fees & Cost
The Papilo Football Academy in Nigeria charges about ₦12,500 as a registration fee as cost of obtaining and submitting the 2024/25 and 2025/26 seasons’ application form.
As for the full yearly or school fees, estimates say the annual training or academy fees are between ₦150,000 to ₦250,000 per year. These fees may include coaching, training sessions, seasonal participation, kits or uniforms, and administrative or medical clearances.
But it is better to contact Papilo Football Academy directly. Ask for a full fee schedule covering registration, training, accommodation, if any, medical fees, and uniforms. It is important that all costs is verified before making any payment.
How To Join Papilo Football Academy – 2025/26 Form
The first thing to do if you want to join Papilo Football Academy in 2025 is to call or contact them. Already, the 2025/26 form is out, and their staff will help you with how to sign up.
When you call, ask how to join, ask how to obtain and complete the admission form, deadlines, the requirements such as age groups and necessary documents, the steps for registration and how to pay the registration fee. I’ve already mentioned the fee above. You should also ask for the official address, training schedule, trial dates, and which ages can participate.
Get all personal details ready before you apply. This means your name, age, and address. If you are underage, have your parent or guardian’s phone number too. You’ll need something that shows how old you are, like a birth certificate, and any other details the academy asks for.
The academy may encourage an in-person visit to their training grounds in Owerri, Imo State, which allows you to see the facilities, coaching setup, age groups, and training schedule. Always confirm the location and process with the contact numbers.
Contact & Social Media
If you want to reach Papilo Football Academy, you can call them on these numbers: +234 703 844 7147, +234 806 610 8842, or +234 803 777 9697. If those don’t work, you can try these extra numbers: 081 3687 4877, 081 0054 2144, 091 6831 6806, or 091 6177 3510.
To send an email, use papilonwankwokanintl@yahoo.com or info@papilofcacademy.com. Their website is papilofcacademy.com.
They are also on social media. You can see them on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/papilofca/, on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/papilofca/, and on Twitter (now X) at @fcpapilo.
Papilo Football Academy Players
Several players are linked to Papilo Academy. Joel Obi, a midfielder who played professionally in Europe, including for Inter Milan, is an alumnus.
Stanley Okoro, a forward nicknamed “Little Messi,” is also mentioned. Chidiebere Nwakali, a midfielder who represented Nigeria at youth levels and later played abroad, is listed too, although some official records show his youth club as Shuttle Sports Academy, not Papilo.
Kelechi Iheanacho, a Nigeria international forward and former Manchester City youth player, is often named in the academy lists, but his representative has stated he trained at Taye Academy, so there is a little confusion there. Another player, Chibueze Izuogu, reportedly started at Papilo before joining Enyimba in the Nigeria Premier Football League.
Many players who train at Papilo Academy move on to local clubs, youth national teams, or professional opportunities in other countries. The academy has transferred more than ten players abroad.
