Over the past decades, football has metamorphosed from a mere pastime or leisure to a trillion dollar industry and way of life. From the huge wages to profit from player sales to ticket sales, money is being earned from various outlets in the game. This has caused football clubs to set up youth teams that can not only fetch results for them but also substantial profit. This youth teams picketed around the world are called academies, and this article reviews some of the best football academies in Nigeria.
Nigeria is one of the most fanatic countries when it comes to admiration for the beautiful game. With friendly divisions and factions supporting their own European teams, watching football is one of the most popular pastime in the African country. However, no matter the allegiance, every viewer longs to see a player of Nigerian origin in action.
Are you one of those players seeking to make it big in Europe? Or do you have a relative who is quite dexterous with their feet? Well you will find this article on best football academies in Nigeria very helpful.
Football academies in Nigeria have been responsible for unearthing some talents in the last few years. Feeding either a team in the Nigerian Professional Football League or one in Europe. To make it to the big time in football, your best route is through one of the various football academies in Nigeria.
In no particular order, here are the best football academies in Nigeria.
Best Football Academies in Nigeria 2021
Midas Football Academy
Location: Ground, Gospel Camp, Command Rd, Ipaja 100278, Lagos
Midas Football Academy Nigeria was formed in November 2006 to discover young soccer talents in Nigeria and the rest of Africa to make them better persons in the society. The academy is duly registered and affiliated with the Nigeria Football Federation and Lagos state Football Association.
They claim to have a network of international football clubs and football management organisations spread around the world. They have links to scouts across Europe, Asia, North Africa and the Americas, to whom they present their talented graduates.
Juventus Football Academy
Location: Abuja and Lagos.
The official academy of the eponymous Italian giants, Juventus Football Academy is one of the best football academies in Nigeria. With ex big brother Nigeria housemate, Ozo, as its ambassador, it is also one of the most reliable in the country.
They employ the services of qalified coaches based in Turin, including the Juventus Academy Area Manager, who provide constant support to projects with periodic visits to ensure that the standards of the Juventus Academy project are upheld.
The Juventus Academy Program in Nigeria is more camping than full-time, as it only runs on specific dates, precisely during the holiday. The camp is open to interested participants between the ages 6-17 with training sessions held between 9am to 3pm on weekdays.
Pepsi Football Academy
Location: Agege Stadium, Agege, Lagos, Nigeria
Arguably the most popular in the country, the Pepsi Football Academy runs over 14 training centres consisting of about 3000 students, which ranks them as the one of the biggest football academies in Nigeria.
They have been so successful in the past few years that some famous players owe their career trajectory to them. Their graduates include:
- Yinka Adedeji
- Joseph Akpala
- Derick Amadi
- Kola Anubi
- Onyekachi Apam
- Ezekiel Bala
- Femi Joseph
- John Obi Mikel
The academy currently hosts a scheme that provides some of their talents with the opportunity to advance in their academic as well as sports career in the UK.
Applicants between the ages 5 – 16 years can apply to join the Academy, with registration capped at ₦3,000.
Papilo Football Academy
Location: Kanu’s private estate at Egbu Owerri Road, Imo.
Papilo Academy was founded in 2000, with the aim of grooming young players and training them to become full grown pro footballers. The purpose of the academy is in line with Kanu Nwankwo’s career path, as the Arsenal legend was nurtured through a similar system.
Papilo Football Academy has developed a handful of talents players that have progressed to national team level, such as Kelechi Iheanacho and Chidiebere Nwakali.
Interestingly, the academy has established a partnership with Leeds United Football Club, United Kingdom. This ranks them up there as one of the best football academies in Nigeria.
HOFFNUNG INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL ACADEMY
Location: HIFA Street off Church Street, Taike Ikosi, Ketu Lagos – Nigeria
Hoffnung International Football Academy (HIFA) is a private organization founded by Mrs Hope Kole. Its intent is to serve the Corporate Social Responsibility initiative of the GLOBAL HOPE SPORTS MANAGEMENT COMPANY. HIFA is dedicated to developing young boys with football talents, especially those from financially-challenged backgrounds, in the field of education and total football interest.
Presently, the cost of running the academy is being generated from funds from donations from founder, families, friends and sponsors.
The academy are partners with the Professional Football Scouts Association, the first and only registered and recognized Professional Football Scouts Association worldwide.
Rivers States Academy – Real Madrid Foundation
Location: Stadium Rd, Rumuola 500272, Port Harcourt, Rivers
The official Real Madrid academy in Nigeria was established in 1997 as a Non-Profit Organization. The academy’s secondary goal to develop social and educational programs as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility.
In 2008 it was appointed as an “ONGD” by the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation (AECID). Its framework is based on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Tripple 44
Location: Km 10, off Akala Road, Elowura, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.
Self-acclaimed as the football academy that allows you to train as a full-time professional footballer. The football academy encourages development in football skills, while understanding the need for continued education.
Tripple 44 runs a variety of football training and study programmes, where football players can gain internationally recognized qualifications. Their flagship product is U-20 player, Peter Olawale, who was signed by Hapoel Ra’anana in 2020. They also had participants for the u-17 World Cup in 2019.
As one of the best football academies in Nigeria, Tripple 44 is a partner of UK’s Diamond Football Management.
Ayicrip Football Academy
Location: 10 Oladimeji Street by Sholabomi Crescent Gate, Aguda, Surulere, Lagos Nigeria.
Ayicrip is one of the few academies that looks above the U-20 age range for their talents which enlists them as one of the best football academies in Nigeria. They primarily target talented youths between the ages of 17 and 23 both within urban and semi-urban areas of Nigeria.
Interested players are expected to pick an interest form which admits them to participate in the open camp trials, where young footballers with great football potentials will come to exhibit their skills after which the best players will be selected to join.
After the trials, 18 players will be selected for the International Football Trial Tour in chosen countries.
Sequel to the conclusion of the open camp trials, selected players will be invited for a two-week camp in Lagos in preparation for international trials tours which will afford the players the opportunity to play matches with some selected clubs in Asia, Middle East, Europe, South America, North America and Africa.
Finally, during the international friendly matches, renowned FIFA licensed football Agents, Club Directors and Coaches will be on ground to scout for good players to sign to their respective clubs to begin their professional careers. At the end of the two weeks tour, successful players will start their professional careers immediately.
Billionaires Football Academy
Location: Plot 20/22,Aso Drive, Aso Villa, Asokoro,FCT,Abuja,Nigeria
Billionaires Football Academy is an international, standard and global private football academy; providing academic course, football training, trials, soccer clinics and international camps for aspiring footballers ranging from age 13 and above. BFA manages and coordinate more than six different soccer centers and camps, with over 3000 young African talents currently under its management.
Abuja Academy
Location: M.K.O Abiola National Stadium, Constitution Avenue, Abuja.
The AS Roma Academy Abuja is the AS Roma Academy official network of football schools around the world 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.
Recognised throughout the world for the quality of its youth team, the AS Roma International Academy program is dedicated to transmitting the club’s work philosophy and values to the rest of the world.
Ascend Football academy
Location: 3 Redsea Close, Aguiyi Ironsi Way, Maitama, Abuja-Nigeria.
Ascend Football academy was created on February 10, 2015 by President and CEO, Mr Terna Amasetimin and is a subsidiary of the registered & incorporated company called ASCEND SPORTS ACADEMY.
The academy is based in the Central Region of Abuja. They specialise in identifying recruits and training young football talents in a cost free program. Ascend has two team categories – under 19 and under 17 youth teams.
Diamond Football Academy
Location: 173 Bende Road, Umuahia, Abia State. Nigeria
Diamond Football Academy Umuahia is one of the best football academies in Nigeria. Located in the southern state of Abia, the academy was founded in 2012.
Best Football Academies in Nigeria 2021
Here is quick and simplified recap of the best football academies in Nigeria in 2021.
- Midas Football Academy
- Juventus football academy
- Pepsi football academy
- Papilo Football Academy
- HOFFNUNG INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL ACADEMY
- Rivers States Academy
- Tripple 44
- Ayicrip Football Academy
- Billionaires Football Academy
- Abuja Academy
- Ascend Football academy
- Diamond football academy
