The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) has added a collection of Nigerian words to its latest update.

The new 20 entries include terms like Japa, 419, agbero, abi, area boy, yahoo boy, yahoo, Edo, Kanuri, jand, cross-carpet, kobo, Naija, and suya.

These additions showcase Nigeria’s cultural diversity, daily life, and street culture while highlighting the rising influence of Pidgin English across Africa and beyond.

Japa, 419, agbero, abi, area boy, Yahoo boy, Yahoo, Edo, Kanuri, jand, cross-carpet, Kobo, Naija, and suya are among the new words unveiled yesterday.

Many of these words serve multiple grammatical functions.

These are in addition to at least 57 Nigerian words in the dictionary.

Kingsley Ugwuanyi, a Nigerian English consultant to the Oxford English Dictionary, played a key role in this update.

Announcing the list on LinkedIn, the linguistic researcher wrote, “I’m thrilled to announce that the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) from Oxford Languages | OUP has officially published its latest updates, featuring a fantastic collection of Nigerian English words that beautifully reflect Nigeria’s culture, creativity, and the unique ways we express ourselves as Nigerians.

“This time, I drafted most of the words and had the incredible opportunity to provide their pronunciations. Therefore, when you explore the OED online and click on the pronunciations, you’ll hear my voice bringing these words to life. This milestone is the result of years of hard work and dedication. I encourage Nigerians to share their favourite words from the list and suggest new ones for future updates,” Mr Ugwuanyi stated.

This update is part of the OED’s quarterly review, which keeps the dictionary in tune with the ever-changing nature of the English language.

This inclusion builds on a similar addition in 2020 when the dictionary included 29 Nigerian words, such as danfo, okada, next tomorrow, and mama put—the first significant inclusion of Nigerian words since the OED’s inception in 1884.

The global dictionary described Nigerian Pidgin as a rich source of new words. It highlighted Nigeria’s unique contribution to global English, with most additions being borrowings or coinages from the 1970s and 1980s.

The list is: Here is a list of newly added Nigerian words:
1. 419; 2. Abi; 3. Adire; 4. Agbero; 5. area boy; 6. cross-carpet; 7. cross-carpeting; 8. Eba; 9. Edo; 10. Gele; 11. jand (noun, verb); 12. janded (adjective); 13. Japa (noun, verb); 14. Kanuri; 15. Kobo; 16. Naija; 17. Suya; 18. Yahoo; 19. Yahoo boy; 20. Yarn Dust.

The Oxford English Dictionary has expanded its lexicon with 20 Nigerian words and expressions in its latest update.

The newly added entries include popular terms like “japa,” “agbero,” “eba,” “419,” and “abi,” among others.

These words, deeply rooted in the everyday lives of Nigerians, highlight the influence of Pidgin English, street slang, and cultural expressions that are increasingly gaining global recognition.

Notably, some of the words, such as “japa” and “jand,” appear as both nouns and verbs in the dictionary.

Pronunciation guides have also been provided to assist non-Nigerians in accurately articulating the words.

A Nigerian English consultant to the Oxford English Dictionary, Kingsley Ugwuanyi, announced the update on LinkedIn on Tuesday.

He expressed excitement over his role in drafting the words and recording their pronunciations.

Ugwuanyi wrote, “I’m thrilled to announce that the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) Oxford Languages | OUP has officially published its latest updates, featuring an amazing collection of Nigerian English words that beautifully reflect Nigeria’s culture, creativity, and the unique ways we express ourselves as Nigerians.

“This time, I not only drafted most of the words but also had the incredible opportunity to provide their hashtag#pronunciations! So, when you explore the OED online and click on the pronunciations, you’ll hear my hashtag#voice bringing these words to life.”

Among the entries, “japa” is defined as “the emigration of Nigerians to other countries (esp. those in Europe or North America) in search of further education, employment, or economic opportunity.”

“Agbero” is described as “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. “

The term “419,” widely known in Nigeria, is defined as, “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 as a modifier, as in 419 email, 419 scam, etc. Cf. yahoo n.2”

The other words added include abi, adire (batik), area boy (lout), cross-carpet, cross-carpeting, eba, Edo, gele (headgear), jand (noun, verb), janded (adjective), Kanuri, Kobo, Naija, suya, Yahoo, Yahoo boy and Yarn Dust.

The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) has added a collection of 20 Nigerian slangs and expressions including “Japa,” “Agbero,” “Eba,” “419,” “Yahoo Boy,” and “Abi”, to its latest update.

A Nigerian English consultant to the Oxford English Dictionary, Kingsley Ugwuanyi, shared the update on his LinkedIn on Tuesday.

Ugwuanyi expressed excitement over his role in drafting the words and recording their pronunciations.

“I’m thrilled to announce that the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) Oxford Languages | OUP has officially published its latest updates, featuring an amazing collection of Nigerian English words that beautifully reflect Nigeria’s culture, creativity, and the unique ways we express ourselves as Nigerians.

“This time, I not only drafted most of the words but also had the incredible opportunity to provide their hashtag#pronunciations! So, when you explore the OED online and click on the pronunciations, you’ll hear my hashtag#voice bringing these words to life,” he wrote.

The words, which constitute part of the Pidgin English vocabulary and everyday lives of Nigerians, indicate rising recognition of the country’s expressions, culture and slangs.

Japa for instance is a Yoruba word used to refer to the rising rate of “emigration of Nigerians to other countries (especially those in Europe or North America) in search of further education, employment, or economic opportunity.”

Pronunciation guides have also been provided to assist non-Nigerians in accurately articulating the words.

The term “419,” widely known in Nigeria, is defined as, “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 as a modifier, as in 419 emails, 419 scams, etc. Cf. yahoo n.2”

Hereunder are 20 Nigerian words or slangs added to the OED:

1. 419

2. abi

3. adire

4. agbero

5. area boy

6. cross-carpet

7. cross-carpeting

8. eba

9. Edo

10. gele

11. jand (noun, verb)

12. janded (adjective)

13. Japa (noun, verb)

14. Kanuri

15. Kobo

16. Naija

17. suya

18. Yahoo

19. yahoo boy

20. Yarn Dust