By JKNewsMedia
THE GROWING global influence of Nigerian English has gained recognition in the latest update to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), which now includes 20 new Nigerian words and expressions.
These additions reflect the richness of Nigeria’s culture, language, and creativity, blending Pidgin English, street slang, and traditional phrases into the global lexicon.
Among the newly added entries are “japa,” a term describing Nigerians emigrating in search of better opportunities; “agbero,” referring to touts at motor parks; and “419,” widely known as a reference to internet fraud.
Other notable inclusions include “eba,” “abi,” and “suya,” terms deeply embedded in Nigerian daily life.
The update also features expressions like “yarn dust,” meaning to talk nonsense, and “area boy,” describing a street gang member involved in extortion or petty crimes.
These words were carefully defined to highlight their cultural significance.
For example, “suya” is described as “thinly sliced, spiced meat grilled on skewers and sold by street vendors as a snack,” while “japa” is defined as “the emigration of Nigerians to other countries, especially for education, employment, or economic opportunities.”
Kingsley Ugwuanyi, a Nigerian English consultant to the OED, played a pivotal role in drafting the new entries and recording their pronunciations.
Sharing his excitement on LinkedIn, Ugwuanyi celebrated the update, calling it “a milestone” in reflecting Nigeria’s unique linguistic identity.
“This time, I not only drafted most of the words but also had the incredible opportunity to provide their pronunciations,” he wrote.
The OED’s inclusion of these terms is part of its quarterly update aimed at capturing the evolution of the English language.
It also marks a continuation of its efforts to embrace Nigerian English, following the 2020 addition of 29 words like “danfo,” “okada,” and “mama put.”
Other words in the latest update include “gele,” the traditional headgear; “jand,” referring to Nigerians living abroad; and “Kanuri,” a reference to the language and people of northeastern Nigeria.
The dictionary also added “cross-carpet” and “cross-carpeting,” political terms used to describe switching party affiliations, further underscoring Nigeria’s impact on diverse areas of life.
