- New Entries Reflect Nigeria’s Unique Expressions
- Pronunciation Guides Included for Global Accessibility
The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) has included 20 Nigerian words and expressions in its latest update, underscoring the growing global recognition of Nigerian culture and language.
Among the newly recognized terms are “japa,” “agbero,” “eba,” “419,” and “abi,” each reflecting Nigeria’s rich linguistic diversity, shaped by Pidgin English, street slang, and cultural heritage.
Remarkably, words like “japa” and “jand” feature as both nouns and verbs, reflecting their dynamic use in everyday speech. Pronunciation guides have also been introduced to aid non-Nigerians in correctly articulating these words.
Kingsley Ugwuanyi, a Nigerian English consultant for the OED, announced the update on LinkedIn, expressing pride in his contributions to drafting and recording pronunciations for the entries.
“I’m thrilled to announce the latest OED updates, featuring an amazing collection of Nigerian English words that beautifully reflect Nigeria’s culture, creativity, and unique expressions,” Ugwuanyi wrote. “This time, I not only drafted most of the words but also had the incredible opportunity to provide their pronunciations. When you explore the OED online and click on the pronunciations, you’ll hear my voice bringing these words to life.”
Some notable definitions include:
- Japa: The emigration of Nigerians, particularly to Europe or North America, for education, employment, or economic opportunities.
- Agbero: A tout who works at car parks or bus stops, assisting passengers and collecting money.
- 419: A form of internet fraud involving advance payment scams, often associated with emails or messages promising large monetary rewards.
Other newly added words include “adire” (batik), “gele” (headgear), “suya” (spicy skewered meat), “yahoo boy” (internet scammer), and “yarn dust” (talk nonsense), among others.
