Pepsi Football Academy in Nigeria is a football academy based in Lagos and other states which trains young players with the aim of developing them into professionals. The Pepsi Football Academy provides a great opportunity for talented young footballers in Nigeria.
In partnership with the Nigerian Premier League and other sporting institutions in and outside the country, the academy offers youth players across the country an opportunity to develop their skills and talent through intensive coaching, training and mentoring programmes. The academy also provides exposure to top coaches and scouts from Europe as well as opportunities for trials at foreign clubs.
The Pepsi Football Academy initiative has yielded dividends through the years. Today, Nigeria is Africa’s number one exporter of players abroad. Other football academies that have been formed in the country drew a page from Pepsi Football Academy’s playbook. The Academy continues to provide hope and exposure to young talented Nigerian players who would have otherwise been limited.
History of Pepsi Football Academy in Nigeria
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 has produced some of Nigeria’s footballing heroes over the years including Elderson Echiejile, Peter Odemwingie, Sunday Mba, and John Obi Mikel.
Pepsi Football Academy Registration 2021 and 2022
Aspiring football players, both male and female, are invited to introduce themselves to the coaches at any of Pepsi’s academy training centers on Saturday mornings. The assessments will be based on talent and basic physical attributes such as speed and balance.
Successful applicants will be given the registration form for joining the academy. The forms should be filled and returned to the centre. Applicants should proceed to pay the required fees once their registration is accepted.
Along with their registration forms, applicants should present the following documents for assessment.
- Birth certificate or affidavit of age declaration
- Certificates of educational qualification (if available)
- Medical report certifying health from a licensed institution
- Passport photographs of applicants and their parents/guardians
Pepsi Football Academy UK Scholarship Scheme
The Pepsi Football Academy operates a United Kingdom scholarship scheme that gives aspiring Nigerian footballers the opportunity to fulfil their dreams of studying and training in the UK.
The Pepsi Football Academy UK scholarship scheme began in 2006 and has proven to be life-changing for the kids lucky enough to be beneficiaries. 17 players have won the UK scholarship since inception. Michael Oluwatosin was the first recipient of the Pepsi Football Academy UK Scholarship.
The scholarship equips the students with top class education while they train to become professional footballers. The scholarship funded a two-year stay for the winners at Brooke House College in 2015 and 2016. Many young players in the academy centres across the country are motivated by a strong desire to clinch this scholarship. However, only the best of best have a shot at winning this prestigious scholarship.
Pepsi Football Academy School Fees and Cost of Joining
Successful applicants to the Pepsi Football Academy have to pay a registration fee of N6000 only. The breakdown of the fee is as follows:
Registration: N1000
Quarterly Fees: N2000
Training Kit: N2000
Training Bag: N500
Identity Card: N500
Applicants aged 15 and above have to pay a slightly higher fee of N12000. The breakdown is as follows:
Registration: N3000
Quarterly Fees: N3000
Training Kit: N3000
Training Bag: N500
Identity Card: N500
Maintenance Fee: N2000
Pepsi Football Academy Locations and Contact
Pepsi Football Academy currently has over 3000 players aged 6 to 18 across its 14 training centres in different parts of the federation. Below are the addresses of the centres across Nigeria and their contact numbers:
Headquarters
Agege Stadium, Agege, Lagos State, Nigeria.
Phone: +234(0)8023108355
Lagos Training Centre
Cocoa Industries Field, Off Akilo Road, Ogba.
Phone: 08023108335, 08032451880.
Orile-Imo Training Centre
The Football College KM 4, Sagamu/Abeokuta Expressway.
Phone: 08023108335, 08032451880.
Abuja Training Centre
Government Senior Secondary School Tudunwada, Zone 4.
Phone: 08023266411
Sagamu Training Centre
AUD Primary School, Opposite Awolowo Market Makun.
Phone: 08034092523
Ibadan Training Centre
Olubadan Stadium Iyaganku
Phone: 08034657553
Ilorin Training Centre
Kwara State Stadium Complex
Phone: 08032083789
Aba Training Centre
Enyimba International FC Stadium, Abia State.
Phone: 08035451812
Enugu Training Centre
Rangers Stadium Nkpokiti Street, Independence Layout.
Phone: 08037127050
Owerri Training Centre
Dan Anyiam Stadium Imo State Sports Council.
Phone: 08034347538
Benin Training Centre
Western Boys High School Ikpoba Hill, Benin, Edo State
Phone: 08038183097
Jos Training Centre
Methodist Primary School, Jos Plateau State
Phone: 07093144959
Kano Training Centre
Rumfa College, Along BUK Road, Kano State
Phone: 08036511010
Kaduna Training Centre
Murtala Mohammed Square Independence Way,
Opposite Hamdala Hotel
Phone: 07093144959
The centres have facilities to help players sharpen their skills and take the next steps to fulfilling their dreams. The academy does not offer academic education or accommodation to successful applicants.
Pepsi Football Academy Famous Players
The Pepsi Football Academy has produced a number of notable football stars over the years. Some of the finest from their production line include:
- John Mikel Obi
- Elderson Echiejile
- Peter Odemwingie
- Sunday Mba
- Joseph Akpala
- Onyekachi Apam
- Ambrose Vanzekin
- Isaac Promise
- Soga Sambo
- Babajide Ogunbiyi
- Solomon Okoronkwo
- Bala Ezekiel
Conclusion
The Pepsi Football Academy is arguably Nigeria’s most prestigious football academy. The academy has proven itself over the years with its track record of producing some of Africa’s best footballers. The Academy continues to stick to its vision of creating a platform for young talented Nigerians to hone and expose their abilities in a bid to make their footballing dreams come true.
If you or someone you know wants to join the Pepsi Football Academy, visit a training centre close to you on Saturdays or call the numbers displayed above.
Related Questions to Pepsi Football Academy
How much is the fee for Pepsi Football Academy?
Registration fee for the Pepsi Football Academy is N6000 for applicants aged 15 and below and N12000 for players over 15 years old.
Where is Pepsi Football Academy located?
The Pepsi Football Academy is located in 14 centres across the country.
How do you get into Pepsi Football Academy?
You can get into the Pepsi Football Academy by submitting yourself for training and evaluation on Saturday mornings at any of their centres.
How do I contact Pepsi Football Academy?
You can contact Pepsi Football Academy by calling any of the numbers listed for their centres.
Author
Abbey Johnson has a Masters degree as an engineer and has over 3 years of teaching and research experience. He is happiest when on a bike and is also interested in electric energy and computer Science.