The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) has incorporated 20 Nigerian words and expressions in its latest update, celebrating the rich linguistic and cultural diversity of Nigeria.
Among the newly added entries are popular terms such as “japa,” “agbero,” “eba,” “419,” and “abi.” These words, drawn from Pidgin English, street slang, and traditional Nigerian languages, reflect the global influence of Nigerian culture and expressions.
Notable Words and Their Definitions
Japa: Defined as “the emigration of Nigerians to other countries (especially Europe or North America) in search of education, employment, or economic opportunity.” It is listed as both a noun and a verb.
Agbero: “A person (usually a boy or young man) who works as a tout, typically at car parks and bus stops, collecting money from passengers and drivers, and ushering passengers onto vehicles.”
419: “Fraud (now usually perpetrated on the internet) involving requests for advance payment in return for a substantial share of a large amount of money, which ultimately is never given. Frequently used as a modifier, such as in 419 email or 419 scam.”
Other entries include:
Abi: A conversational tag used for emphasis or to seek confirmation.
Adire: A traditional Yoruba batik fabric.
Area boy: “A lout or street gang member.”
Gele: “A traditional Nigerian headgear for women.”
Naija: An informal name for Nigeria.
Suya: A spicy meat skewer popular in Nigerian cuisine.
Yahoo/Yahoo boy: Terms referring to internet fraud or individuals engaged in it.
Significance
The inclusion of these words underscores the growing global recognition of Nigerian English as a unique and influential dialect. Pronunciation guides for these words have been provided to help non-Nigerians articulate them accurately.
Contribution
Kingsley Ugwuanyi, a Nigerian English consultant for the OED, played a key role in drafting these entries and recording their pronunciations. Sharing his excitement on LinkedIn, he remarked, “These words beautifully reflect Nigeria’s culture, creativity, and the unique ways we express ourselves.”
This update not only enriches the OED but also highlights Nigeria’s dynamic contribution to global linguistics and cultural exchange.
