Top 25 Football Academies in Lagos, Nigeria

Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial and cultural powerhouse, is a breeding ground for football talent, producing stars like Victor Osimhen, Jay-Jay Okocha, and Rashidi Yekini. Its vibrant football scene, coupled with a large population and growing infrastructure, makes it an ideal hub for football academies. These institutions nurture young talent, offering professional training, exposure to scouts, and opportunities for international careers. This article lists the top 25 football academies in Lagos, detailing their fees, descriptions, nearest bus stops, and founders or owners where available. Selected based on reputation, facilities, alumni success, and affiliations, these academies provide pathways for aspiring footballers to achieve their dreams in Nigeria’s football capital.

1. Pepsi Football Academy

Fees Range: ₦100,000 – ₦300,000 per year (full-time); ₦50,000 – ₦150,000 (part-time)
Description: Founded in 1992, Pepsi Football Academy is Nigeria’s most renowned academy, with training centers at Agege Stadium and Cocoa Industries Field, Ogba. Sponsored by PepsiCo, it has produced stars like John Mikel Obi and Victor Moses. It trains over 3,000 players aged 6-18 with 54 coaches, offering full-time and part-time programs emphasizing technical skills and discipline.
Nearest Bus Stop: Agege or Ogba
Founder/Owner: Founded by Kashimawo Laloko; managed by PepsiCo Nigeria.

2. Barcelona Football Academy (FCBEscola)

Fees Range: ₦250,000 – ₦500,000 per year; ₦13,500 registration
Description: Located at Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, FCBEscola uses FC Barcelona’s training methods to develop players aged 5-18. With about 400 students, it focuses on technical skills, tactical understanding, and grassroots empowerment, preparing players for international careers.
Nearest Bus Stop: Surulere
Founder/Owner: Affiliated with FC Barcelona; managed by local partners.

3. Midas Football Academy

Fees Range: ₦77,000 – ₦100,000 registration; ₦200,000 – ₦400,000 per year
Description: Established in 2006 in Ipaja, Midas is affiliated with the Nigeria Football Federation and Lagos State Football Association. It trains players aged 11-19, offering modern facilities, academic partnerships, and international exposure. Graduates play for clubs in Europe and beyond.
Nearest Bus Stop: Ipaja
Founder/Owner: Privately owned; specific founder details unavailable.

4. Paddysco Sports Academy

Fees Range: ₦100,000 – ₦300,000 per year
Description: Based in Festac Town, Paddysco is a sports management organization registered with CAC (RC No. 990280). It offers structured training, insurance coverage, and mental/physical development for young players, with affiliations to the Lagos State Football Association.
Nearest Bus Stop: Festac
Founder/Owner: Founded by Patrick DaCosta; privately owned.

5. Buruj Sports Academy

Fees Range: ₦100,000 – ₦300,000 per year
Description: Located in Ikorodu, Buruj offers regular and advanced football training, focusing on global competitiveness. It also trains in other sports like basketball and tennis, emphasizing grassroots development and international trials.
Nearest Bus Stop: Ogolonto
Founder/Owner: Founded by Waidi Salaudeen; privately owned.

6. Lagos Tigers FC

Fees Range: ₦50,000 – ₦150,000 per year
Description: Established in 2012 in Lekki, this academy trains players aged 3-15, fostering discipline, sportsmanship, and technical skills. It also runs a basketball academy and hosts the Lagos Tigers Value Cup.
Nearest Bus Stop: Lekki
Founder/Owner: Privately owned; specific founder details unavailable.

7. Ambassadors Football Academy

Fees Range: ₦50,000 – ₦150,000 per year
Description: Located in Onikan, this Christian-based academy combines football training with moral education, participating in youth leagues and tournaments. It focuses on holistic development for young players.
Nearest Bus Stop: Onikan
Founder/Owner: Owned by a religious organization; specific founder details unavailable.

8. Ayicrip Football Academy

Fees Range: ₦100,000 – ₦250,000 per year
Description: Based in Aguda, Surulere, Ayicrip is known for its top-tier coaching and modern facilities, helping young players develop technical and tactical skills for professional careers.
Nearest Bus Stop: Surulere
Founder/Owner: Privately owned; specific founder details unavailable.

9. Little Wonders Football Academy

Fees Range: ₦100,000 – ₦250,000 per year
Description: Located in Ikeja, this academy develops young talent with a supportive learning environment, fostering trust and personal growth alongside football skills.
Nearest Bus Stop: Ikeja
Founder/Owner: Privately owned; specific founder details unavailable.

10. Guarantee United Football Academy

Fees Range: ₦100,000 – ₦250,000 per year
Description: Based in Lekki, Guarantee United offers comprehensive training programs, modern facilities, and professional coaching, emphasizing all-around player development.
Nearest Bus Stop: Lekki
Founder/Owner: Privately owned; specific founder details unavailable.

11. Merciful Football Academy

Fees Range: ₦100,000 – ₦250,000 per year
Description: Located in Lagos, Merciful emphasizes character development alongside technical skills, producing well-rounded players for local and international stages.
Nearest Bus Stop: Surulere
Founder/Owner: Privately owned; specific founder details unavailable.

12. Dynaspro Sports Academy

Fees Range: ₦100,000 – ₦300,000 per year
Description: Based in Ikeja, Dynaspro offers training in football, basketball, and other sports, with modern facilities and a focus on developing professional athletes from a young age.
Nearest Bus Stop: Ikeja
Founder/Owner: Privately owned; specific founder details unavailable.

13. FCBescola International Soccer School

Fees Range: ₦250,000 – ₦500,000 per year
Description: An extension of FCBEscola at Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, it uses Barcelona’s training methodology to empower young players, focusing on grassroots development.
Nearest Bus Stop: Surulere
Founder/Owner: Affiliated with FC Barcelona; managed by local partners.

14. MILO Football Academy

Fees Range: ₦50,000 – ₦150,000 per year
Description: Located in Ilupeju, Ikeja, this academy, run by Nestle Foods, empowers youth through football, often inviting former internationals to train and motivate players.
Nearest Bus Stop: Ikeja
Founder/Owner: Founded by Nestle Foods; managed by Nestle Nigeria.

15. Staruf Football Academy

Fees Range: ₦100,000 – ₦250,000 per year
Description: Operating in Surulere under Staruf Sport Development Ltd, it provides cutting-edge training platforms for young players to excel in football.
Nearest Bus Stop: Surulere
Founder/Owner: Privately owned; specific founder details unavailable.

16. City of Lagos Football Academy

Fees Range: ₦100,000 – ₦250,000 per year
Description: This academy aims to develop aspiring footballers into champions, offering professional training and exposure to scouts in Lagos.
Nearest Bus Stop: Surulere
Founder/Owner: Privately owned; specific founder details unavailable.

17. Lekki Junior Strikers Academy

Fees Range: ₦100,000 – ₦250,000 per year
Description: Based in Lekki, this academy trains players aged 3-16, aiming to develop football stars and other athletes with international connections.
Nearest Bus Stop: Lekki
Founder/Owner: Privately owned; specific founder details unavailable.

18. Junior Football Academy Nigeria

Fees Range: ₦50,000 – ₦150,000 per year
Description: Located in Lekki, this academy focuses on young players aged 3-16, molding raw talent into champions with professional coaching.
Nearest Bus Stop: Lekki
Founder/Owner: Privately owned; specific founder details unavailable.

19. Hoffnung International Academy

Fees Range: ₦100,000 – ₦300,000 per year
Description: Based in Ketu, this academy discovers and trains talent for international clubs, particularly in Germany, with a focus on professional development.
Nearest Bus Stop: Ketu
Founder/Owner: Privately owned; specific founder details unavailable.

20. ICAN Football Academy

Fees Range: ₦100,000 – ₦250,000 per year
Description: Located in Alakija, ICAN focuses on scouting and developing top football talent for professional leagues, offering modern training facilities.
Nearest Bus Stop: Alakija
Founder/Owner: Privately owned; specific founder details unavailable.

21. C.O.D United FC Soccer School

Fees Range: ₦50,000 – ₦150,000 per year
Description: Based in Victoria Island, this academy trains players aged 7-16, combining football with academic learning for holistic development.
Nearest Bus Stop: Victoria Island
Founder/Owner: Privately owned; specific founder details unavailable.

22. 1472 FC Academy

Fees Range: ₦100,000 – ₦300,000 per year
Description: A new academy in Lagos named after the Portuguese discovery of Lagos in 1472, it offers professional training and exposure for young players.
Nearest Bus Stop: Onikan
Founder/Owner: Privately owned; specific founder details unavailable.

23. Ikorodu City Football Academy

Fees Range: ₦50,000 – ₦150,000 per year
Description: An ongoing project by Ikorodu City FC, this academy trains players aged 8-19, with clinics led by international partners like Bernat Villa.
Nearest Bus Stop: Ikorodu
Founder/Owner: Affiliated with Ikorodu City FC; privately managed.

24. MeesPalace Football Academy

Fees Range: ₦100,000 – ₦250,000 per year
Description: Established in 2020, this academy in Lagos focuses on developing young players into top stars, with modern facilities and professional coaching.
Nearest Bus Stop: Surulere
Founder/Owner: Privately owned; specific founder details unavailable.

25. Fortune Football Academy

Fees Range: ₦50,000 – ₦150,000 per year
Description: Founded in 2009, this Lagos-based academy promotes grassroots football, producing talents like Ahmed Abdul-Taofik, with community outreach programs.
Nearest Bus Stop: Surulere
Founder/Owner: Founded by Onaolapo Michael; privately owned.

Notes

Fees Ranges: Costs are approximate based on 2025 data and vary by program (full-time residential or part-time/weekend). Additional costs (e.g., registration forms, kits, accommodation) may apply. Contact academies for exact figures.
Limited Founder Information: For many private academies, specific founder details are unavailable due to limited public records. Ownership is attributed to private entities or organizations where applicable.
Selection Criteria: Academies were chosen based on reputation, facilities, alumni success, and affiliations, drawing from sources like Finelib, NaijaQuest, and Nigerian Infopedia.
Accessibility: Nearest bus stops are based on main training locations. Verify addresses, as some academies have multiple centers in Lagos.
Cultural Context: Lagos’ football academies are pivotal in Nigeria’s sports landscape, leveraging the city’s population and infrastructure to produce global talents. Many offer scholarships or discounted fees for exceptional players, particularly from underprivileged backgrounds.

Lagos’ football academies are gateways to professional careers, blending technical training, education, and international exposure. From the prestigious Pepsi and Barcelona academies to emerging hubs like Ikorodu City, these institutions cater to diverse aspirations. Aspiring footballers should research programs, attend trials, and verify fees to find the best fit. With dedication and the right academy, the journey from Lagos’ pitches to global stadiums is within reach!