The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) has recognized the richness of Nigerian English by incorporating 20 Nigerian words and expressions into its latest update.
Prominent entries include popular terms like “japa,” “agbero,” “eba,” “419,” and “abi.” These additions highlight the global influence of Nigerian Pidgin, street slang, and cultural expressions.
Notably, terms such as “japa” (to emigrate, especially for education or economic opportunities) and “jand” (a colloquial term for London or abroad) are listed as both nouns and verbs, reflecting their versatile use in everyday conversation.
Kingsley Ugwuanyi, a Nigerian English consultant for the Oxford English Dictionary , announced the update on LinkedIn, sharing his excitement about drafting the entries and recording their pronunciations. “When you explore the OED online and click on the pronunciations, you’ll hear my voice bringing these words to life,” he said.
The OED provides detailed definitions for the words, such as:
- “Agbero”: A tout who collects money at car parks or bus stops.
- “419”: Fraud schemes involving advance payment for nonexistent financial rewards.
Other newly added words include abi, adire, area boy, cross-carpet, gele, Kanuri, kobo, Naija, suya, and Yahoo boy.
This development underscores Nigeria’s cultural and linguistic impact, with the global community increasingly embracing its vibrant expressions.