Football is unarguably the most popular sporting activity in Nigeria. While some Nigerians prefer betting on their favorite teams on sites like sportsbet.io, others prefer to put their talent to good use. Football academies remain the best ways to catch young talented footballers and groom them to be the stars they were meant to be.
5 Leading Football Academies in Nigeria 2023
If you think you have the talent, you could sign up for any of these academies and kickstart your football career. In this article, we are going to explore the best Football Academies In Nigeria and what makes them stand out.
1. Barcelona Football Academy in Nigeria
The Barcelona Football Academy is a football academy in Nigeria that is affiliated with FC Barcelona, one of the most successful and popular football clubs in the world. The academy is based in Lagos, Nigeria, and is focused on developing young football talent in the country.
The academy registers young talents between the ages of 5 to 18 years. Within the academy are training professionals and high-end equipment to groom the skill of young talents and help them to achieve their goals.
The academy also offers proper education including a wide range of support devices to ensure that players are at their best when they are on the field and going about their daily activities.
The academy is part of the FC Barcelona Escola network of youth academies, which are located all around the world and are dedicated to promoting the values of the club and developing young talent.
2. Pepsi Football Academy in Nigeria
Definitely the most popular football academy in Nigeria, the Pepsi Football academy is a great start for any aspiring player. The Pepsi Football Academy was founded in 1992 and is based in Lagos, Nigeria. It is known for its youth development programs aiming to identify and develop talented young football players in Nigeria.
The academy is known to have produced some of the best names in Nigeria football including the likes of Elderson Echiejile and Mikel Obi. To students that perform exceptionally well, Pepsi offers scholarships for them to study in the UK.
At its inception, Pepsi was only located in Lagos at Agege Stadium. With time, the academy has expanded to 14 centers across the country. Currently, it has registered over 3,000 students.
3. Papilo Football Academy in Nigeria
The Papilo Football Academy was founded in 2000 and is focused on developing young football talent in the country. The academy is based in Owerri, Nigeria, and is named after its founder, former Nigerian professional footballer, Nwankwo Kanu.
The academy offers a range of training and development programs for players at different levels of skill and experience and is run by a team of professional coaches who are dedicated to helping players improve their skills and achieve their goals.
In addition to on-field training, the academy also provides players with education and other support services to help them succeed both on and off the field. The academy has a strong reputation in Nigeria and has produced a number of professional footballers who have gone on to play for clubs in Nigeria and abroad.
4. Kwara State Football Academy in Nigeria (KWFA)
Established in 2005, the Kwara State Football Academy is ranked as one of the leading football academies run by the government in Nigeria. It is actually the only government-owned football academy in Nigeria. The prominent academy was founded under the Bukola Saraki government and has stood the test of time.
At its inception, the academy was managed by the previous Nigeria Super Eagles technical adviser, Clemence Westerhof, but has since moved to Swedish technical supervisor, Paul Ashworth.
The academy, like others, is focused on developing young football talent in the region. It offers a wide range of training and development programs for young players boosting their experience and skills.
The KWFA is run by a team of professional coaches that includes 7 Nigeria International footballers. Currently, the academy has registered over 150 students within the age range of 13 – 21 years.
5. Midas Football Academy
Midas Football Academy is another big name that deserves a mention. It was formed in 2006 to nurture young talents in Nigeria.
The academy is registered with the NFF (Nigeria Football Federation) and Lagos State Football Association. The academy’s branches extend beyond Nigeria to other parts of Africa and have helped many talents since its inception.
See Also: 10 Most Expensive Secondary Schools in Nigeria.