Top 10 Football Clubs and Academies in Nigeria to Join in 2023

Lot of youths want to apply and get registered in top football clubs and academies in Nigeria currently looking for players.

Are you one of them?

Do you want to know how to join the best football academy with accommodation, cheap fees and amazing location in Nigeria?

Do you need football academy registration forms?

If YES, then this article is only what you need to read today.

Nigeria is one of the African countries with a great sense of participation and association with the game, football.

Lot of talented youths are seriously looking for platforms, agencies, clubs and academies to kick-start and improve their talent.

To get the best training or facilities and be able to join a football team in the country, it will require you to go to one of the best football academies.

Football academies are very critical entry points for new footballers into a team or club.

In the past, most Nigerian top footballers started off in the street rather than in academy, but presently there are some good and functional football academies in Nigeria currently looking for football players to train in becoming world stars.

In this article, you’re going to know these top football academies in Nigeria so that you can be able to choose the best option.

Before we get into the core of this post, I’d like to tell you to grab some coffee or tea.

This is quite a long post and if you’re really interested in registering and getting accepted into any of the best football academies in Nigeria this year, you’ll definitely read to the end.

Getting started…

What’s a Football Academy?

A football academy is an institution, and a facility set up to develop young footballers.

Football academies are special training schemes set up by clubs to help towards refining, developing and guiding young talents in the sports by managing and guiding them at a tender age.

This will help these new players to meet the club’s specific standard.

If you are planning to learn football in Nigeria, it is a good thing.

There are tons of football academies where you can learn how to become a professional footballer in Nigeria.

Besides, attending the best academies in Nigeria will help you a lot in speeding up the rate at which you build a sturdy career.

Football Academy Requirements in Nigeria

Here are the eligibility requirements for joining a football academy in Nigeria:

• Registration fee.
• Original and photocopy of birth certificate or affidavit of age declaration.
• Passport photographs of applicants and their parents/guardians.
• Certificates of educational qualification (if available).
• Medical fitness certificate from a licensed hospital.

How to Join a Football Academy in Nigeria?

Here are the steps to register and join a football academy in Nigeria fast:

• Get your registration form online or by visiting one of the training centres closest to you and get assessed in areas regarding footballing skills and intellectuals.
• If deemed worthy, you will be provided an application form which can be taken home.
• Fill the forms provided and return with your parents/guardian.
• Complete the registration by submitting the forms along with required documents.
• If your application is accepted, pay the training fees (if not free).

Cost of Joining a Football Academy in Nigeria

The cost of joining a good football academy in Nigeria is relatively high.

Registration fees in most training academies are not constant (they can be increased and decreased anytime).

The registration fee into any Nigerian football academy depends on:

• Duration of training
• Students (applicants) ages
• Academy facilities
• Trainer’s (school) qualifications

Football academy owned by states in Nigeria is cheaper compared to privately owned football academies in Nigeria.

Most states with football academy in Nigeria offer free sign-up fees for indigenes of the states while other students of the academy are charged.

The average cost of joining a good football academy in Nigeria is around ₦70,000.

Top 10 Football Academies in Nigeria with Fees and Location in 2023

10. SIAONE Soccer Academy

Because of its vast reach, unparalleled popularity and foundation of positive values, sport is definitely one of the greatest things ever created.

It’s also a powerful tool that breaks down all the barriers and helps us feel good about ourselves, both physically and mentally.

Super Eagles Legend and coach, Samson Siasia, found SIAONE Soccer Academy.

The idea behind the establishment of the academy is to train and explore young football talents and exciting their potential for greater opportunities in the football industry.

The academy is committed to providing excellent basic and advanced football instruction, in a safe and peaceful environment, where the players will have an enjoyable, positive learning experience to adequately prepare them to face the challenges of a successful life and a professional football career.

Address: Suites 21/1, M.K.O Abiola, National Stadium, Abuja, Nigeria

9. Papilo Football Academy

Papilo Academy was founded in 2000 to groom young players and train them to become full grown pro footballers.

In terms of finance, the proprietor (Kanu Nwankwo) who is a product of an academy, has invested over 100 million naira since its formation so that raw talents can be discovered and trained from various localities.

Kanu Nwankwo played for top teams such as Ajax, Inter Milan, Arsenal, and Portsmouth during his career and also had lots of medals awarded to him.

It is interesting to note that since inception; the academy has developed a lot of players that have turned out to be national team players.

Among the academy graduates are Kelechi Iheanacho, Chidiebere Nwakali Joel Obi, and Stanley Okoro.

Also, most of the academy players were injected and used to form the main Papilo Football Club team.

The team in the space of three (3) years got promoted to the Nigeria National League (NNL) division.

Right now, Papilo Football Club has established a relationship with Leeds United Football Club, United Kingdom.

In 2018, about four (4) players from Papilo Academy were invited to Leeds United Football Club for training and the development was to be sustained for 2019.

The academy has over 200 players in Nwankwo Kanu’s private estate at Egbu Owerri Road, Imo State.

Kanu is also reportedly said to be building one of the biggest football academies in Africa and the academy is open to Under 15, under 17, under 19 students.

If you want to become a professional footballer in Nigeria in the nearest future, this football academy is for you because you will meet coaches like Kanu Nwankwo, Bary Robson and more.

Email: info@papilofcacademy.com

8. Barcelona Football Academy (FCBEscola)

FCBEscola is the flagship FC Barcelona school aimed at boys and girls between 6 and 18 years of age and its primary aim is to provide a comprehensive training environment for their pupils.

This method of schooling, exported to the rest of the world, attempts to extend the Barça model and promote the Club’s working philosophy internationally.

Barcelona football academy has a branch at Teslim Balogun Stadium Complex, Surulere, Lagos State, Nigeria.

The football academy is immensely interested in developing talented youngsters, improving their capabilities, and placing them on an international level.

With FCBEscola football academy, you can be rest assured that you will develop your football skills to the optimum level.

7. The International (Sports) Academy (TIA)

The International (Sports) Academy (TIA) is a multi-sports secondary school for young boys and girls with an interest in and talent and passion for sports.

Ex-international football player, sports analyst and administrator and author Chief Segun Odegbami (MON) established TIA in 2007.

The school runs a 6-year curriculum (JSS1 – SS3) during which students have the opportunity of a quality academic program combined quality and intensive athletic program of their choice in readiness for life as a student athlete in college or normal further education.

The International (Sports) Academy offers a comprehensive development program through 5 sport academies:

• Athletics
• Basketball
• Football
• Table Tennis
• Tennis

School Addresses:

• Wasimi Orile, 54 kilometers from Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos
• 26 kilometers from Abeokuta, off the Abeokuta – Sango Otta – Lagos New Express Road in Ogun State, Nigeria

6. Pepsi Football Academy (PFA)

Established in November 1992 by Kashimawo Laloko as a football school at the Agege Stadium (courtesy of the Lagos State Sports Council), Pepsi Football Academy secured total backing from Pepsi in 1994, becoming one of Nigeria’s most prestigious academies.

The academy has enrolled thousands of students aged 6-18 years with coaches across 14 training centres nationwide operating year-round.

The academy is highly determined to keep assisting young, talented, and skilled players to develop their careers and become international professionals.

PEPSI Football Academy also offers scholarship programmes for its players to further their academics and sports in the United Kingdom.

The Pepsi Football Academy has produced several notable football stars over the years.

Some of the finest from their production line include:

• Adeola Lanre Runsewe
• Ambrose Vanzekin
• Babajide Ogunbiyi
• Derick Amadi
• Echiabhi Okodugha
• Edward Ofere
• Elderson Echiejile
• Emeka Opara
• Ezekiel Bala
• Femi Joseph
• Isaac Promise
• John Obi Mikel
• Joseph Akpala
• Kola Anubi
• Onyekachi Apam
• Peter Odemwingie
• Rasheed Olabiyi
• Soga Sambo
• Solomon Okoronkwo
• Sunday Mba
• Yinka Adedeji

List of Pepsi Football Academy Training Centre

Lagos Training Centre

Address: Cocoa Industries Field, off Akilo Road, Ogba

Orile-Imo Training Centre

Address: The Football College, Km 4, Sagamu/Abeokuta Expressway

Sagamu Training Centre

Address: AUD Primary School, opposite Awolowo Market, Makun

Ibadan Training Centre

Address: Olubadan Stadium Iyaganku

Ilorin Training Centre

Address: Kwara State Stadium Complex

Aba Training Centre

Address: Enyimba Int’l FC Stadium

Enugu Training Centre

Address: Rangers Stadium, Nkpokiti Street, Independence Layout

Owerri Training Centre

Address: Dan Anyiam Stadium, Imo State Sports Council

Benin Training Centre

Address: Western Boys High School, Ikpoba Hill

Abuja Training Centre

Address: Government Senior Secondary School, Tundunwada, Zone 4

Kaduna Training Centre

Address: Murtala Mohammed Square Independence Way, opposite The Hamdala Hotel

Jos Training Centre

Address: Methodist Primary School

Kano Training Centre

Address: Rumfa College, along Buk Road, PMB 3079

5. Kwara State Football Academy

Kwara Football Academy (KFA), an initiative of the Former Kwara State Governor, Dr. Bukola Saraki, is focused on skill development and is open to all, regardless of place of origin.

The academy currently has seven coaches who are all former international football players with coaching certificates.

The academy provides a conducive and unique surrounding to keep youths away from drugs, violence and other unhealthy activities.

With about 150 students currently, KFA is aimed at training footballers between the ages of 10 and 20 years to compete favourably with their counterparts at international levels.

It is also focused on developing the skills of the footballers such that after graduation, they can pursue careers as professional footballers with international football clubs.

Kwara Football Academy provides opportunities for potential footballers to receive first class education whilst honing their football skills.

The football academy fee is around ₦120,000 – ₦200,000.

The students are grouped into three categories:

• The junior cadre comprises student between ages 10-14.
• The intermediate cadre comprises students between ages 15-16.
• The elite cadre comprises students between ages 17-19.

The junior and intermediate group combine academics with football with management course.

The existing facilities can accommodate 300 students.

Some of the existing structures include:

• Four standard football pitches well grassed with submersible sprinklers
• One tennis court
• One basketball court
• One gymnasium
• Three blocks of student hostels (27 rooms each) and a medical center

When you join Kwara State Football Academy:

• You will play in different local and international competitions in Nigeria and abroad.
• You have a chance of playing for the Nigeria (or your country) national team in different age grade competitions and become a professional player.
• Your profile will be available to football clubs, football scouts, and football agents to view.
• You will also be invited to play in regular trial matches around the world. This will give you the opportunity to show the clubs, scouts, and agents your ability.
• You will play in front of international football representatives from around the world.

The academy is on about 35hectares of land within the Kwara State Stadium Complex in Ilorin.

Email: info@kfailorin.com

4. Lagos Tigers FC

Lagos Tigers Football Club (LTFC) is a rapidly growing junior football club/soccer school based in Lekki.

It was established in 2012 for boys and girls between the ages of 3 to 15 years to fill the gap of quality football training for the youth.

A team of qualified coaches who have extensive experience working with children trains the club members.

LTFC encourages and foster good fair play, discipline and builds confidence and integrity, recognizes and develops the players’ individual strengths as well as encourages teamwork through fun play and technical training.

Since 2012, when LTFC began with just 5 members, over 200 children have been registered and trained and this number is expected to grow given the revival for sports and healthy living in the country.

Location:

Club is at Greenfield Soccer Pitch – Plot 3 Ayodele Odubiyi Street (behind Folashade Awe Street Lekki Phase 1) Close to Elevation Church Marwa Bus Stop.

Training:

Three team groups are available based on age:

• U6 – Recreation Squad (Cubs): This squad is targeted at young players (ages 3-6) who are new to football, where we teach how to have fun with football. They only train on Saturdays.
• U8-U11 – Developmental Squad (Tigers): This squad is targeted at the ages of 7-10; it teaches the fundamentals of football in a fun and exciting way. They train up to 3 times in a week.
• U12-U15 – Development Academy Squad (Tigers): This squad is by invitation only for members of the academy squad OR for older players between the ages of 10-15 that wish to go semipro. They also train up to 3 times in a week.

Club Fees:

Upon joining, a one-off registration fee is due to reserve a place and subscription Fees are charged termly.

Registration: (New Members): ₦15,000 per child, ₦25,000 for families with two or more children. (One-off payment)

Term Subscription:

Parents with 2 or more children receive a 10% discount term fees.

For U6 Players:

• Full Term subscription: U6: ₦50,000 per child
• Half term subscription: U6: ₦28,000 per child

For Age 7 Players and Above:

• Once a week: ₦57,000 per child
• Twice a week: ₦75,000 per child
• Thrice a week: ₦85,000 per child

The days in a week are Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Players can choose all the days or two days or just one day.

The club is a uniformed academy, and the uniform is compulsory.

Club Uniform set costs ₦15,000 per child (The uniform comprises a jersey, shorts, hose, kit bag and shin guards).

3. Midas Football Academy

Midas Football Academy was formed in November 2006 to discover young soccer talents in Nigeria and the rest of Africa and make them better persons in the society.

The academy is duly registered and affiliated with the Nigeria Football Federation and Lagos State Football Association.

With a network of international football clubs and football management organizations around the world, young players have been helped with opportunities to showcase their talents to football coaches, agents and scouts from all over Europe, Asia, North Africa and the Americas.

Midas Football Academy vision is to become the biggest football academy in Nigeria and Africa, to have branches and centers in every part of the world, to become the most successful football academy with the type of players that will be produced for National teams and football world.

Midas Football Academy’s mission is to produce the next generation of big stars and talents in the world of football and give them the best education of the game that will last them for the rest of their lives.

Cost requirements for joining Midas Football Academy is ₦77,000 at the moment for a full season (12 months).

The fee covers training, medicals, 1 training jersey and 1 ceremonial jersey.

The fee is the most affordable you can find anywhere in Nigeria compare to the amount of value we provide.

The academy also assists players outside of Lagos in need of a place to stay at their own expenses.

The academy is at Gospel Camp Ground, Command Ipaja, Lagos.

Email:

• info@midasfootballacademy.com
• info.midasfa@gmail.com

2. The AS Roma Academy Abuja

The AS Roma Academy Abuja is dedicated to all boys and girls, aged between 5 – 17 years old, which offers the opportunity to learn the methodologies and training techniques that inspired talented players such as Francesco Totti, Daniele De Rossi, Alessandro Florenzi and Lorenzo Pellegrini.

Recognized throughout the world for the quality of its youth team, the AS Roma International Academy program stands for dedication to training young players in sports and education, transmitting the club’s work philosophy and values to the rest of the world.

Through the advice of AS Roma’s technical staff and specialized local coaches, every player will be supported to reach their full potential while learning the training and educational approach used by AS Roma’s Youth Sector.

AS Roma Academy Abuja Fees depends on your category (e.g., under 15) and age.

The football academy fee is around ₦240,000 – ₦800,000 per term.

1. Buruj Sports Academy

Buruj Sports Academy remains one of the best options for any player aspiring to be great in their respective sporting career with no form of discriminations and limiting barriers to what each players stand to achieve.

This academy has remained faithful to the values set from the onset, with maximum sporting ambition now ranging from a keen interest in footballing, running, basketball, cycling, table tennis and lawn tennis games while also involved in other major sports.

The vision is to give young players a proactive platform to develop their skills and potential as a prerequisite to becoming thorough-bred professionals to fit in the National Team focusing widely on the grassroot level.

The goal is to ensure that young resourceful players are given the chance to get exposure and develop by creating varieties of opportunities for them to be in the right place under a right atmosphere to excel via global exploit taking part in both International and Local Tourneys and Trials.

Academy Success

BSA players have taken part in International Tournaments attended by players from over 20 countries yearly as organized in the UK.

• 2016 – third place at the Dubai International Super Cup
• 2017, 2018 – Double Champion of the English International Super Cup, Manchester City United Kingdom.
• 2018 – Youth Champions of the TTD Dubai Super Cup in U.A.E
• 2019 – Runners up English and Welsh Int’l Super Cup in Kingdom.

The players’ performances abroad had wowed the organizers and equally satisfied the thirst of notable club scouts in search of young talents to recruit, i.e., Manchester United, Everton.

This has also awarded some players a scholarship opportunity in clubs like Barnet F.C, Borehamwood F.C after successful trials.

Two players, namely Salaudeen Noah Abolaji, and Akuba Ignatius Omachonualso, got a scholarship from Borehamwood Football Club in 2017 and 2018.

Facilities

Apart from being coached by our high profiled coaches with up-to-date knowledge of the ever-advancing football world, provided equipment’s and training facilities are of top-notch portraying the international Standard the academy has attained.

It is the academy’s policy over the years to make available the immediate medical needs of players both on and off pitch while still on course.

Accommodation

The Academy boarding house provides everything a student needs 7 days a week, staff are 24/7 friendly, and a standby generator is available in case of electricity failure.

The House offers bedrooms, Wi-Fi, TV Set displaying all Sports channels and comfy sofas to relax on whilst watching.

The games room has a pool table, PS4 and Xbox One game machines.

The Buruj Sports House has also added up a table tennis table in the garden, a lecture room, match video analysis on the Touch Screen.

There is a standard kitchen where players can make their meals and for players who couldn’t cook, there are food vendors who sell quality foods that match their taste and satisfy their desire for food.

The Hostel rooms are conducive and accommodating for each player.

There is also a coach transfer that conveys players and coaches to and from the match venues and training grounds.

Players will be advised daily and are implored to strictly adhere to the codes of conduct guiding their stay in the academy hostel.

Fees

Full-Time Football Programs are for Ages 9 – 22yrs.

This football academy fee depends on training duration.

• 1 Year = ₦600,000
• 2 Years = ₦1,100,000
• 3 Years = ₦1,500,000
• 4 Years = ₦2,000,000

Address

• Buruj Sports House – 8, Adeniran Oshodi Street, off Olokodana Street, Ogolonto Bus Stop, Ikorodu, Lagos State, Nigeria

Email

• info@burujsportsacademy.com

10 Best Football Academies in Nigeria

Here are the best-rated football academies in Nigeria:

• Buruj Sports Academy
• The AS Roma Academy Abuja
• Midas Football Academy
• Lagos Tigers FC
• Kwara State Football Academy
• Pepsi Football Academy (PFA)
• The International (Sports) Academy (TIA)
• Barcelona Football Academy (FCBEscola)
• Papilo Football Academy
• SIAONE Soccer Academy

Conclusion

Nigeria boasts of top raw and young talents in the game of football.

These young talents, if well managed by top academies, will blossom into superstars.

If you have a passion for football and you are looking forward to becoming a professional and efficient player, then you must give expert attention to some of these football academies listed in this article.

Ensure you review these academies before applying or making payment.

Beware of scammers that will parade as agents or schools.

Visit the official website of these academies to make enquiries and get the latest news and updates.

You should also try to confirm from past or present students currently training in any of the listed football academies on the new fees, facilities, features, and benefits.

Finally, if you know any football academy in Nigeria that is equally a good option or shouldn’t be on this list, please let us know in the comment section.

Tell us the academy and why it is excellent or bad for upcoming football players.

I wish you success in your football career.

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