Region
Nigeria & West Africa
One of the biggest talent regions in the world. Academy, scouting, agency and media careers matter, and many people also work with European clubs as regional scouts.
NGNcurrency
20%pay level vs UK, illustrative
4key bodies
League structure
Domestic leagues feed a strong export route to European clubs, with many private academies and scouting networks.
Governing bodies and unions
NFF, CAF, Ghana FA, Local league bodies.
Coaching licences
CAF licences (C, B, A and Pro) are the continental standard, delivered through national associations.
Qualification recognition in Nigeria & West Africa
- Confederation Coaching Licences (AFC, CAF, CONMEBOL, Concacaf) (Strong)
- Football Agent Licence (FIFA Agent Exam) (Strong)
- Medical Degree & Sport and Exercise Medicine Training (Strong)
- Data & Analytics Courses (SQL, Python, Machine Learning) (Strong)
- Teaching Qualification (QTS or equivalent) (Strong)
- Degree in Any Subject (Strong)
- UEFA Coaching Licences (C, B, A, Pro) (Recognised)
- Goalkeeper Coaching Licences (Recognised)
- Football Management Certificate (UEFA CFM) (Recognised)
- Executive Master for International Players (UEFA MIP) (Recognised)
- Football Law Programme (Recognised)
- International Master in Sport (FIFA Master) (Recognised)
- Sport or Football Business Degree (Recognised)
- Sports Law Qualifications (LLM or Solicitor/Bar with Specialism) (Recognised)
- Accounting Qualification (ACCA, ICAEW, CIMA or local equivalent) (Recognised)
- Sport & Exercise Science Degree (Recognised)
- Strength & Conditioning Accreditation (Recognised)
- Physiotherapy Degree & Professional Registration (Recognised)
- Sport Psychology Training & Registration (Recognised)
- Sports Nutrition Qualifications & Registration (Recognised)
- Sports Massage & Soft-Tissue Therapy Courses (Recognised)
- Performance Analysis or Sports Analytics Degree (Recognised)
- Journalism Qualification (NCTJ, broadcast or degree) (Recognised)
- Marketing & Digital Marketing Qualifications (Recognised)
- Groundsmanship & Turf Management Qualifications (Recognised)
- Language Certificates (Recognised)
- Introductory Coaching Award (FA Level 1) (Limited)
- Youth Coaching Award (FA Youth Award) (Limited)
- Safeguarding Children Training & Background Check (Limited)
- First Aid in Football (Limited)
- Referee Course & Referee Grades (Limited)
- Sports Therapy Degree (Limited)
- Scouting & Talent Identification Courses (Limited)
- Sports Ground Safety Officer Qualifications (Limited)
- Spectator Safety Steward Training (Limited)
- Vocational Sport Qualification (BTEC or equivalent) (Limited)
- Coaching or Sport Apprenticeship (Limited)
Roles and indicative pay
Illustrative estimates in NGN. Many roles are unpaid or part-time at grassroots level.
| Role | Qualification | Indicative pay |
|---|---|---|
| Playing & Player Development | ||
| Academy Scholar | Not needed | ₦1.2M to ₦8M |
| Semi-Professional Player | Not needed | ₦800K to ₦10M |
| Professional Player (Lower Leagues) | Not needed | ₦10M to ₦48M |
| Top-Flight Professional Player | Not needed | ₦60M to ₦1B |
| Coaching & Technical | ||
| Grassroots Coach | Strongly preferred | Unpaid or expenses, up to ₦3.2M |
| Community Football Coach | Strongly preferred | ₦6.4M to ₦11M |
| Academy Coach | Required | ₦8.8M to ₦22M |
| Academy Head of Coaching | Required | ₦22M to ₦52M |
| Goalkeeper Coach | Strongly preferred | ₦8.8M to ₦48M |
| Set-Piece Coach | Helpful | ₦14M to ₦100M |
| Assistant Coach | Required | ₦16M to ₦160M |
| Head Coach / Manager | Required | ₦24M to ₦1.4B |
| National Team Coach | Required | ₦32M to ₦600M |
| Medical, Performance & Sports Science | ||
| Sports Therapist | Strongly preferred | ₦8.8M to ₦18M |
| Club Physiotherapist | Required | ₦13M to ₦44M |
| Head of Medical | Required | ₦26M to ₦88M |
| Club Doctor | Required | ₦28M to ₦100M |
| Sport Scientist | Strongly preferred | ₦8.8M to ₦20M |
| Strength & Conditioning Coach | Strongly preferred | ₦11M to ₦38M |
| Head of Performance | Strongly preferred | ₦26M to ₦88M |
| Sport Psychologist | Required | ₦13M to ₦44M |
| Performance Nutritionist | Strongly preferred | ₦12M to ₦36M |
| Soft-Tissue Therapist (Masseur) | Helpful | ₦7.2M to ₦15M |
| Analysis & Data | ||
| Match Data Collector | Not needed | Unpaid or expenses, up to ₦4.8M |
| Performance Analyst (Academy / Lower League) | Helpful | ₦7.2M to ₦14M |
| First-Team Performance Analyst | Helpful | ₦12M to ₦30M |
| Opposition Analyst | Helpful | ₦11M to ₦28M |
| Football Data Scientist | Strongly preferred | ₦16M to ₦40M |
| Football Data Engineer | Strongly preferred | ₦18M to ₦44M |
| Head of Analysis | Helpful | ₦24M to ₦68M |
| Football Trader / Odds Compiler | Strongly preferred | ₦11M to ₦32M |
| Scouting & Recruitment | ||
| Match Scout (Part-Time) | Not needed | Unpaid or expenses, up to ₦5.6M |
| Academy / Youth Scout | Strongly preferred | ₦6.4M to ₦15M |
| Professional Scout | Not needed | ₦11M to ₦30M |
| Recruitment Analyst | Helpful | ₦10M to ₦24M |
| International Scout | Not needed | ₦8M to ₦28M |
| Loan & Player Pathway Manager | Helpful | ₦13M to ₦32M |
| Chief Scout | Not needed | ₦22M to ₦64M |
| Head of Recruitment | Not needed | ₦26M to ₦88M |
| Sporting Direction & Football Management | ||
| Football Administrator | Not needed | ₦7.2M to ₦11M |
| Player Liaison / Player Care Officer | Not needed | ₦8.8M to ₦18M |
| Club Interpreter / Translator | Not needed | ₦8.8M to ₦22M |
| Player Registration & Compliance Officer | Strongly preferred | ₦9.6M to ₦22M |
| Academy Education & Welfare Officer | Required | ₦9.6M to ₦19M |
| Football Operations Manager | Helpful | ₦14M to ₦38M |
| Academy Manager | Required | ₦24M to ₦68M |
| Technical Director | Strongly preferred | ₦32M to ₦140M |
| Sporting Director / Director of Football | Strongly preferred | ₦36M to ₦480M |
| Agents & Player Representation | ||
| Agency Assistant / Intern | Not needed | Unpaid or expenses, up to ₦9.6M |
| Licensed Football Agent | Required | Unpaid or expenses, up to ₦120M |
| Senior Agent / Head of Representation | Required | ₦24M to ₦1.2B |
| Agency Founder / Director | Required | Unpaid or expenses, up to ₦2B |
| Image Rights & Brand Manager | Helpful | ₦12M to ₦44M |
| Match Officials | ||
| Youth Referee | Required | Unpaid or expenses, up to ₦1.2M |
| Grassroots Referee | Required | ₦400K to ₦3.6M |
| Semi-Professional / National-List Referee | Required | ₦2M to ₦11M |
| Professional Referee | Required | ₦20M to ₦64M |
| Video Assistant Referee (VAR) Official | Required | ₦18M to ₦56M |
| Referee Assessor / Observer | Required | Unpaid or expenses, up to ₦8M |
| Referee Development Officer | Strongly preferred | ₦10M to ₦19M |
| Stadium, Pitch & Matchday Operations | ||
| Match-Day Steward | Strongly preferred | Unpaid or expenses, up to ₦4.8M |
| Kit Manager | Not needed | ₦7.2M to ₦18M |
| Groundsperson | Helpful | ₦7.2M to ₦14M |
| Head Groundsperson / Pitch Manager | Strongly preferred | ₦15M to ₦44M |
| Travel & Logistics Coordinator | Not needed | ₦8.8M to ₦17M |
| Ticketing Manager | Helpful | ₦11M to ₦28M |
| Supporter Liaison Officer | Not needed | ₦8M to ₦16M |
| Safety Officer | Required | ₦14M to ₦36M |
| Stadium Operations Manager | Helpful | ₦14M to ₦36M |
| Commercial, Marketing & Fan Engagement | ||
| Commercial Assistant | Helpful | ₦7.2M to ₦11M |
| Hospitality & Ticket Sales Executive | Not needed | ₦8.8M to ₦20M |
| Sponsorship Sales Executive | Helpful | ₦9.6M to ₦22M |
| Social Media & Digital Content Manager | Not needed | ₦8.8M to ₦24M |
| Fan Engagement Manager | Helpful | ₦13M to ₦28M |
| Merchandise & Retail Manager | Helpful | ₦11M to ₦26M |
| Marketing Manager | Helpful | ₦13M to ₦30M |
| Partnerships Manager | Helpful | ₦15M to ₦34M |
| Head of Commercial / Commercial Director | Helpful | ₦28M to ₦100M |
| Media, Content & Broadcasting | ||
| Football Content Creator | Not needed | Unpaid or expenses, up to ₦24M |
| Club Press & Communications Officer | Helpful | ₦9.6M to ₦20M |
| Club Video Producer / Editor | Not needed | ₦8.8M to ₦19M |
| Football Photographer | Not needed | Unpaid or expenses, up to ₦18M |
| Local Football Reporter | Strongly preferred | ₦8M to ₦14M |
| Football Journalist | Strongly preferred | ₦11M to ₦30M |
| Broadcast Producer | Helpful | ₦12M to ₦32M |
| Match Commentator | Not needed | ₦4M to ₦100M |
| Pundit / Analyst (Media) | Not needed | ₦2M to ₦200M |
| Governance, Legal & Finance | ||
| Club Accountant | Strongly preferred | ₦10M to ₦24M |
| Club Finance Director | Required | ₦32M to ₦120M |
| Football Lawyer | Required | ₦18M to ₦88M |
| Football Compliance & Regulation Officer | Strongly preferred | ₦15M to ₦38M |
| Safeguarding Officer | Required | ₦11M to ₦24M |
| Club Secretary / Administrator | Not needed | Unpaid or expenses, up to ₦16M |
| Football Governance & Regulatory Officer | Strongly preferred | ₦14M to ₦34M |
| Club Chief Executive | Not needed | ₦40M to ₦600M |
| Community, Grassroots & Education | ||
| Club Welfare Officer | Required | Unpaid or expenses, up to ₦1.2M |
| Grassroots League Secretary | Not needed | Unpaid or expenses, up to ₦4.8M |
| Community Foundation Officer | Strongly preferred | ₦8M to ₦14M |
| Disability & Inclusion Football Coach | Strongly preferred | Unpaid or expenses, up to ₦11M |
| Football Development Officer | Strongly preferred | ₦10M to ₦18M |
| Physical Education Teacher (Football Focus) | Required | ₦11M to ₦21M |
| Coach Educator / Tutor | Required | ₦12M to ₦34M |
| Club Foundation Director | Helpful | ₦16M to ₦36M |
| Business, Enterprise & Football Tech | ||
| Coaching Camp / Academy Owner | Strongly preferred | Unpaid or expenses, up to ₦40M |
| Five-a-Side Venue Manager | Not needed | ₦9.6M to ₦22M |
| Football Tech Founder | Not needed | Unpaid or expenses, up to ₦80M |
| Football Apparel & Equipment Entrepreneur | Not needed | Unpaid or expenses, up to ₦48M |
| Football Tech Product Manager | Strongly preferred | ₦18M to ₦42M |
| Football Data Account Manager | Helpful | ₦10M to ₦24M |
| Football Travel & Experience Operator | Not needed | ₦8M to ₦28M |