Choosing the right football academy in Nigeria is one of the most crucial things that a young player must consider if he wants to achieve his dreams of playing professional football.
Nigeria is no stranger when it comes to producing world-class players, and this is only made possible by starting from the grassroots level, where coaching, discipline, and training are instilled in children from a tender age.
From long-established institutions like Pepsi Football Academy to international programmes such as Barça Academy Lagos and AS Roma Academy Abuja, there is a whole gamut of options available.
Not all football academies in Nigeria are the same. Some are simple training centres and cost less money.
Others are big academies where children live, go to school and train seriously, and these cost much more.
Prices can be small registration fees or very expensive yearly fees.
Each academy also has different age groups, different ways of doing trials and different rules about scholarships, so parents need clear and correct information.
Top 10 Football Academies in Nigeria
This article simply explains the best football academies in Nigeria.
It shows where they are, how much they usually cost, how children can join through trials, and how to contact them.
The aim is to help parents, young players and scouts understand their choices and decide the best next step in a child’s football journey.
Pepsi Football Academy (Lagos & many other cities)
Pepsi Football Academy is one of the oldest football academies in Nigeria. It started in 1992 and has training centres in Lagos, Abuja and many other cities. The main headquarters is at Agege Stadium in Lagos.
The yearly cost is between ₦100,000 and ₦200,000. However, Pepsi does not have one fixed national fee. Each local centre decides its own small fees. Some centres collect a registration fee of about ₦6,000 for younger players. Some registration forms have also been sold for around ₦15,000, depending on location and time.
There is no single national scholarship programme published online. Pepsi focuses on grassroots football and low-cost community training. Any bursaries or help depend on the local centre.
There are no fixed national trial dates. Children usually join by registering at their nearest centre. Trial or assessment days are announced on local centre’s social media pages.
Age groups and exact prices are not published in one place. As a parent, you must call the nearest centre to ask.
Main phone numbers used by Lagos centres are +234 802 310 8335, 08023108335 and 08032451880.
A local Abuja centre number that appears online is 08023266411.
Their official email address is info@pepsifootballacademy.com
Papilo Football Academy (Owerri, Imo State)
Papilo Football Academy is linked to former Nigerian international footballer Nwankwo Kanu. It is located in Owerri, Imo State, around the Egbu and Owerri Road area.
The usual yearly fee range is between ₦150,000 and ₦250,000. The exact amount depends on whether the player is a day student or a boarder.
There is no scholarship scheme. Any bursaries or support must be discussed directly with the academy. Some initiatives may be linked to Kanu’s football projects.
Trials and registration windows are announced from time to time. Application forms and phone numbers usually appear in adverts.
Exact age-group prices are not published online. As a parent, you must contact the academy directly for full breakdowns.
The phone number commonly used for admissions enquiries is +234 803 777 9697. Their email address is papilonwankwokanintl@yahoo.com
Abuja Football College (AFC) – Maitama, Abuja
Abuja Football College combines football training with education. It operates as a boarding-style football college and is situated in Abuja, near the Maitama and National Stadium areas.
The annual or term fee range is ₦300,000 to ₦500,000. This depends on whether the student is boarding or not. There is also a ₦ 12,500 application or registration form fee.
There is no fixed scholarship programme advertised online. However, the college sometimes runs talent identification programmes and may sponsor some players. Call admissions to confirm this.
Admissions usually happen during set registration windows each year. Players enter through the registration process and assessment sessions.
Age-band prices are not fully published online. Only the form price is clearly stated. Parents must ask admissions for the current age-based fee structure.
Admissions phone numbers include 08136874877 and 08169921528.
Midas Football Academy (Lagos)
Midas Football Academy is based in Lagos and combines football training with education. It also offers camps and additional programmes.
Midas publishes its fees. The full-season fee for 12 months is ₦150,000. The academy also publishes a detailed breakdown. This includes an application form fee of ₦10,000, a training jersey costing ₦15,000, coaching fees of ₦50,000 and medical fees of ₦20,000. Other optional costs may apply for camps or boarding-style programmes.
There is no scholarship scheme listed on their website. However, Midas sometimes runs trials and camps where talented players may receive support.
Trials and camps are announced on the official website and social media pages.
Though the academy publishes fees, but does not show a single table for all age bands. If you are a parent, check their Join Us and FAQ pages or contact the academy directly.
- Admin phone number is 08034893510.
- Head coach’s phone number is 09038944553.
- South-South representative number is 08176019417.
- WhatsApp (messages only) is +234 803 376 9034.
- Email addresses are info.midasfa@gmail.com and information@midasfootballacademy.com
Training grounds are at Ipaja Command and Gospel Camp in Lagos.
FC Barcelona / Barça Academy (Lagos)
Barça Academy Lagos operates at Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere, Lagos. It follows the FC Barcelona youth football model and is considered a premium programme.
The annual programme cost is between ₦1,500,000 and ₦2,500,000. Registration or form prices are around ₦13,500, but full fees depend on the specific programme, camp or residential option.
There is no international scholarship for the Lagos academy. Sometimes trial-based opportunities may exist, but parents must contact the local operator.
Trials follow the Barcelona academy system. Lagos trial dates are announced by the academy operator.
Age groups such as Under-6 and Under-12 are mentioned on the Barcelona website, but Lagos-specific age-band fees are not published online.
An enquiry phone number is +234 809 030 9660.
The academy is operated locally, so calling this number is usually the fastest way to get information.
Kwara State Football Academy (Ilorin)
Kwara State Football Academy is a government-run academy located inside the Kwara State Stadium Complex in Ilorin.
Programme costs range from ₦80,000 to ₦300,000 per year. The exact amount depends on the intake category and whether the player is boarding. Application forms have been priced at around ₦12,500.
Because it is state-run, the academy offers subsidised places and government-supported intakes. Scholarship and bursary opportunities depend on the intake year.
Trials and admissions are announced on the academy’s social media pages. The academy groups players into junior, intermediate and elite categories.
Age groups usually cover 13 to 19 year olds. Exact age-band prices are not published online.
The main contact phone number is 08137776200. The academy email address is kwarafootballacademyi@gmail.com
AS Roma Academy (Abuja)
AS Roma Academy Abuja is the official AS Roma youth academy in Nigeria. It is based at the MKO Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.
The academy publishes clear tryout fees. Tryouts without accommodation cost ₦20,000. Tryouts with accommodation and feeding cost ₦150,000. Residential programmes require a large initial deposit of up to ₦1,000,000 for some programmes.
The academy age categories are Under-5, Under-7 and Under-9. Exact term fees vary by age, term and whether the player is a boarder or a day student. These amounts are available through the registration system.
There is no permanent scholarship programme, but talent identification and occasional residential scholarships may be offered.
Tryout dates and registration links are on the official website.
Main phone numbers are +234 915 288 0001 and 07049566777. The email address is academy.abuja@asroma.it. The official website is abujaacademy.asroma.com.
Dynamos Football Academy (Lagos, other locations)
Dynamos Football Academy has different branches, especially in Lagos. Because of this, fees and contacts vary by location.
The yearly fee range is between ₦100,000 and ₦250,000. There is no single national fee schedule.
There is no central scholarship scheme. Some branches may sponsor trial players.
Trials and camps depend on the local branch.
Age-band pricing is not published centrally.
Common Lagos contact numbers include 08032960130 and 08032960124.
A Lagos address linked to the academy is 8 Adeniran Oshodi Street, Majidun, Ogolonto, Ikorodu.
Buruj Sports Academy (Lagos)
Buruj Sports Academy is based in Lagos and is known for foreign tours, trials and exposure programmes.
Programme fees include ₦450,000 for some camp programmes. A premium residential package is ₦4,500,000 for long-term residential training.
There is no fixed scholarship programme. However, Buruj sometimes offers sponsored placements through its tours and camps.
Trials and camps are seasonal, and registration forms are available on the website.
Some age-specific camp prices are published, but there is no full public annual age-band.
Contact phone numbers are 08032960130 and 08032960124. The academy is located at 8 Adeniran Oshodi Street, Majidun, Ogolonto, Ikorodu, Lagos. The official website is burujsportsacademy.com.
SiaOne Soccer Academy (Abuja)
SiaOne Soccer Academy is affiliated with Samson Siasia and is located in Abuja, specifically at the MKO Abiola National Stadium area.
Programme fees range between ₦100,000 and ₦300,000. Some sites show seasonal or registration fees of about ₦100,000.
There is no scholarship programme. Sponsored opportunities may exist through clinics or exposure programmes.
Trials and camps are announced on the academy website and social pages.
Age-band pricing is not published in a single table.
Phone numbers are +234 909 872 2222 and +234 905 555 5067. Another listed phone number is 08069575517.
Email address is infosiaoneacademy@gmail.com.
Address includes Suite 21.1, MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, and Suite B65, Murg Shopping Mall, Garki Area 10, Abuja.
The Football College (Lagos)
The Football College is based in Lagos and appears regularly in football academy rankings.
Yearly fees range from ₦200,000 to ₦350,000. Fees depend on whether the player is boarding or not.
There is no scholarship. Trials and admissions happen during specific intake periods.
Exact age-band pricing must be confirmed during admissions.
Contact numbers are usually shared on admission adverts and the academy’s social media pages.
Final Advice
If you want exact current fees, age bands, scholarships or trial dates, the safest way is always to call or WhatsApp the phone numbers listed in the top 10 football academies in Nigeria above, because many Nigerian academies do not publish full details online and change fees every season.
