Pepsi Football Academy was started in November 1992 by Kashimawo Laloko. It is a place in Nigeria where kids and teens are developed into professional players. It is not a regular or boarding school; players usually live at home and attend training, while some continue formal schooling.
The academy began at Agege Stadium in Lagos and gained support from Pepsi after two years, which helped it expand nationwide. Over time, it grew to around 3,000 registered players, 13–14 centres, and about 54 coaches, becoming one of Nigeria’s most respected youth football academies.
Many famous footballers started their careers here. The academy maintains an online presence through its website and active social media, sharing news, training updates, and registration information.
Famous Players and Graduates
Over the years, Pepsi Football Academy became known for producing professional football players. Many players trained at the academy before moving on to big clubs in Nigeria and abroad. Famous names linked to the academy include:
John Obi Mikel
The biggest success from Pepsi Football Academy. He left the academy, went to Norway, then joined Chelsea in England. At Chelsea, he won many major trophies. He earned over 90 caps for Nigeria and was the team captain. He is the academy’s most famous player.
Elderson Echiéjilé
A defender who moved from Pepsi Academy to clubs in Europe. He played in Belgium, France and Germany. He also played for Nigeria at the World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations.
Joseph Akpala
An attacker who had a solid career in Europe. He played mainly in Belgium and Germany. He also played for the Nigerian national team. Akpala is one of the academy’s better-known forwards.
Stephen Makinwa
A striker who played football in Italy for big clubs like Lazio and Palermo. He was one of the first Pepsi Academy players to reach top European leagues.
Sunday Mba
A midfielder famous for scoring the goal that won Nigeria the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations. Even though his club career was not long, that goal made him memorable.
Isaac Promise
A striker who played for clubs in different European countries. He also played for Nigeria. His name often appears on lists of Pepsi Academy graduates.
Osaze Odemwingie
A forward who went on to play in Russia and England. He also played many games for Nigeria. He is often linked to Pepsi Football Academy when people talk about its successful players.
Where Pepsi Football Academy Is Located
As the academy grew, it opened training centres in many parts of Nigeria. In Northern and Central Nigeria, centres appeared in Jos, Kaduna, Kano and Abuja. The Jos centre became one of the early northern locations. Kaduna and Kano were also listed regularly in branch directories, while Abuja served as an important centre for trials and special events.
In South-West Nigeria, the academy has its strongest presence. Lagos is the headquarters, with Agege Stadium being the original and main location. Agege in Lagos is always mentioned as the home of the academy. Other South-West locations include Ibadan, where training has taken place at Olubadan Stadium in Iyaganku, as well as Ogun State locations such as Abeokuta, Sagamu and Orile-Imo. Ilorin has also been listed as one of the training centres.
In South-East Nigeria, Pepsi Football Academy has had centres in Enugu, Aba and Owerri. Orile Imo is sometimes referred to as Pepsi Football College Orile Imo, which causes confusion, but it is still connected to the academy structure. In the South-South region, Benin City and Edo State are part of the academy’s outreach.
Addresses and Contact Information
The main and most commonly known address for Pepsi Football Academy is Agege Stadium, Agege, Lagos. This is recognised as the head office location. Other centres, such as Abuja, Kaduna, Ibadan and Enugu, have their own local training grounds.
Lagos State
Pepsi Football Academy – Headquarters (Agege)
Address: Agege Stadium, Agege, Lagos, Nigeria
Phone: +234 802 354 3676 | +234 802 310 8335 | +234 803 245 1880 | +234 1 817 3970
Pepsi Football Academy – Ogba Centre
Address: Cocoa Industries Field, Off Akilo Road, Ogba, Lagos, Nigeria
Phone: 0802 310 8335 | 0803 245 1880 | 0802 354 3676
Ogun State
Pepsi Football Academy – Orile-Imo Football College
Address: The Football College, Km 4, Sagamu–Abeokuta Expressway, Orile-Imo, Ogun State, Nigeria
Phone: 0802 310 8335 | 0803 245 1880
Pepsi Football Academy – Sagamu Centre
Address: AUD Primary School, Opposite Awolowo Market, Makun, Sagamu, Ogun State, Nigeria
Phone: 0803 409 2523
Oyo State
Pepsi Football Academy – Ibadan Centre
Address: Olubadan Stadium, Iyaganku, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
Phone: 0803 465 7553
Federal Capital Territory (Abuja)
Pepsi Football Academy – Abuja Centre
Address: Tafawa Balewa Way, Asokoro Area, Abuja, Nigeria
Phone: 0814 182 6383 | 0813 687 4877 | 0816 992 1528
General Registration and Administration Contacts
Phone: 0816 518 1546 | 0813 687 4877 | 0813 243 2789 | 0904 822 3425 | 0907 351 5120
WhatsApp: 0702 513 5445
The academy has an email account for inquiries as well (info@pepsifootballacademy.com), but most interactions occur via phone and WhatsApp.
How to Join Pepsi Football Academy
1. Confirm Eligibility and Centre
Pepsi Football Academy is for children and teenagers. The age groups are under-10, under-12, under-14, under-16, and under-18.
Make sure you have a birth certificate or official age document to prove your age.
If you are a child, your parent or guardian must say it’s okay for you to join.
Find the nearest official training centre and call them to check when you can register or go for trials. Don’t just trust social media or people selling forms online.
2. Prepare Documents and Items
When registering, certain documents are usually requested. You need to bring both original documents and copies:
- Birth certificate
- 2–4 passport photos
- Parent/guardian ID and contact info
- Basic medical clearance if available
Football kit you need:
- Boots, shin guards, socks, t-shirt, shorts
- Water and towel
Also, check with the centre if there are any registration or training fees. Don’t pay online or to unknown people.
3. Registration and Form Completion
Go to the centre on registration or trial days.
Ask for the registration form and fill it in carefully:
- Full name
- Date of birth
- Contact info
- Parent/guardian info
- Previous football experience (if any)
Give them all your documents and pay the official fee.
4. Selection and Enrolment
If you are selected, the academy will contact you and tell you:
- How to enrol
- Training schedules
- Any seasonal fees
You will join an age-grade team and attend regular training sessions. You will also play in intra-academy games and tournaments, and coaches will watch your progress.
If you are not selected:
- Ask politely for feedback
- Keep practicing and get ready for the next trial
Fees and Costs Explained Simply
Many parents ask how much it costs to join Pepsi Football Academy. You have to pay money to join the Football Academy. It is not free. Fees are not the same everywhere. They depend on the centre, the year and the type of programme.
Pepsi Football Academy – Fee Structure (2025)
1. Kids aged 5 to 14 years:
- Registration fee: ₦1,000
- Quarterly training fee: ₦2,000
- Training uniform: ₦2,000
- Identity card: ₦500
- Training bag: ₦500
Total cost: ₦6,000 (approx.)
2. Teens and adults aged 15 years and above:
- Registration fee: ₦3,000
- Quarterly training fee: ₦3,000
- Training uniform: ₦3,000
- Identity card: ₦500
- Training bag: ₦500
- Maintenance fee: ₦2,000
Total cost: ₦12,000 (approx.)
Important Things to Know About the Fees
- Fees cover registration, quarterly training, uniform, identity card, and training bag.
- The academy does not provide accommodation or school lessons.
- Parents who want both academic learning and football training should consider the Football College at Orile-Imo, which costs extra.
Parents should always ask the exact price at the centre they want to use, especially in places like Lagos, Abuja or Ibadan, because each centre can charge differently.
Pepsi Football Academy Scholarships
Pepsi Football Academy has a scholarship programme that allows exceptionally talented young Nigerian players to train and study abroad, particularly in the United Kingdom. The first recipient of the UK scholarship was Michael Oluwatosin.
The programme began in 2006, and by 2012–2013, several players had travelled to places like Brooke House College in England to study and play football. Only the top performers from the academy’s centres nationwide are selected.
There isn’t a publicly shared application process; players are usually considered after excelling in training and local competitions.
Besides the UK scholarship, informal support may be available, such as reduced fees or extra attention from scouts, but these are not part of an official programme.
How Players Can Qualify for a Scholarship
Players must perform exceptionally in training and matches. Participation in academy tournaments and local or national competitions helps coaches and scouts identify top candidates.
Scholarships are usually for teenage players, but younger children can begin building a record of performance early. Coaches also consider commitment, regular attendance, behaviour, leadership, and sometimes academic performance, especially for scholarships that involve studying abroad.
Training
Pepsi Football Academy focuses only on football and does not provide formal education or residential facilities.
More than 50 coaches train kids in skills like ball control, passing, dribbling, shooting, first touch, and balance, assessing them before they join.
Players also learn tactics, such as positional play, decision-making, and small-sided games, while being taught discipline, teamwork, humility, and confidence.
Training mainly takes place on Saturday mornings, with occasional weekday sessions, for children aged five to 16 or 18, depending on the centre.
Trials at Pepsi Football Academy
Pepsi Football Academy doesn’t put out dates online for all their tryouts like big professional clubs. Instead, the “trial” is really just the first test you take when you go to the academy to see if you’re good enough to join.
- You go to a training centre in person. Coaches look at how you play: your ball skills, balance, speed, and overall potential. This check itself is the trial.
- If you do well, you get a form to officially apply and register.
- There’s no big online schedule of tryouts. Each training centre sets its own days, usually during registration periods.
How Trials and Assessments Work
- Visit a Training Centre in Person
You need to go to a centre with a parent or guardian. Coaches watch you play and see if you’re ready. - Trial Evaluation
Coaches check your football skills. If they like what they see, they give you a registration form. This is what counts as the trial. - Complete Registration
After passing the trial, you fill out the registration form, give the required documents, and pay any fees to finish joining the academy.
Registration (and Trial) Timing
- Registration, which includes the trial, happens all year, but July is the busiest month, as they get ready for the next season.
- There aren’t official online dates for trials. You need to visit the nearest centre to find out the exact days.
Where Trials (Assessments) Happen
Pepsi Football Academy has lots of centres around Nigeria. These are the main places you can go for a trial:
- Agege Stadium, Lagos
- Cocoa Industries Field, Ogba, Lagos
- Olubadan Stadium, Ibadan
- Government Secondary School, Tundunwada, Abuja
- Enyimba International FC Stadium, Aba
- Dan Anyiam Stadium, Port Harcourt
- Rangers Stadium, Enugu
There are also other regional centres. You must contact or visit the specific centre to know the exact trial days.
What to Bring for Trials/Registration
Personal Items:
- Football boots
- Sports kit
Documents:
- Birth certificate
- Medical report
- Passport photos
- School results (if over 15)
- Parent/guardian ID and presence
Fees and Admission
Once you pass the trial, you pay the registration and training fees to officially join. Fees depend on your age group.
How to Get Official Trial Dates
Because Pepsi Football Academy doesn’t put trial dates online, the best ways to know are:
- Go during July, the main registration month
- Visit or call the nearest centre
- Follow social media or local announcements from the centres
Player Payments and Training Fees
Pepsi Football Academy does not pay players a salary. Participation is not compensated financially. Instead, players pay modest annual fees to train: around ₦6,000 for ages 5–14 and ₦12,000 for ages 15 and above. These fees cover training only, not payments to players.
Financial support comes mainly through the scholarship, which may cover tuition, accommodation, and training costs abroad. Local training fees remain the responsibility of players or guardians unless reduced through informal sponsorship.