In what promises to be a momentous celebration of football legacy and excellence, the Lagos State Football Association (Lagos FA) is set to bestow a Lifetime Achievement Award on Nigerian football legend, Biliaminu “Billy” Thanni, a former star of the iconic Stationery Stores Football Club.
Now 80 years old, Billy Thanni holds the remarkable distinction of being the oldest living winner of the prestigious President Federation Cup, Nigeria’s oldest and most coveted football competition.
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His heroic performance in the 1982 final, where he dazzled as a speedy and skillful winger in Stationery Stores’ emphatic 4-1 victory over Niger Tornadoes at the National Stadium, Lagos, remains etched in the annals of Nigerian football history.
The Lagos FA, under the leadership of Chairman Hajji Gafar Liameed, has announced that Thanni will be honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award during the grand finale of the 2025 President Federation Cup, taking place this Saturday at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan.
The event will also feature high-stakes finals: Kwara United vs. Abakaliki FC in the Men’s category and Rivers Angels vs. Nasarawa Amazons in the Women’s final.
Hajji Liameed emphasized that the award, which includes a substantial cash prize, is part of a broader Lagos FA initiative to recognize and appreciate the contributions of football legends who have shaped the game in the state and across Nigeria.
“This award is a symbol of our deep appreciation for heroes like Billy Thanni, who laid the foundation for the beautiful game we cherish today,” said Hajji Liameed. “It is also a call to action for our current and future stars — a reminder that their legacy is being watched, and excellence will always be rewarded.”
This annual initiative reflects the Lagos FA’s ongoing commitment to honour the past, celebrate the present, and inspire the future of football development in Lagos State.
As the city prepares for another historic Federation Cup final, all eyes will not only be on the pitch, but also on the richly deserved tribute to a living legend — Billy Thanni, whose legacy continues to shine like a beacon for generations of Nigerian footballers.
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