The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) has incorporated 20 Nigerian words and expressions in its latest update, highlighting the linguistic richness and cultural impact of the country.
Notable entries include “japa,” “agbero,” “eba,” and “abi,” which capture Nigeria’s vibrant blend of Pidgin English, street slang, and cultural expressions. Many of these terms, such as “japa” and “jand,” are acknowledged as both nouns and verbs, reflecting their versatile usage. To assist non-Nigerians, the dictionary provides pronunciation guides for these words.
The update was announced by Kingsley Ugwuanyi, a Nigerian English consultant for the OED, on LinkedIn. Ugwuanyi, who contributed significantly to drafting the entries and recording their pronunciations, expressed excitement about the milestone.
“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,” Ugwuanyi wrote. “This time, I not only drafted most of the words but also had the incredible opportunity to provide their pronunciations! So, when you explore the OED online and click on the pronunciations, you’ll hear my voice bringing these words to life.”
The dictionary defines “abi” as a sentence adverb meaning “clearly” or “obviously” and often used interrogatively to prompt agreement, such as “isn’t that so?” or “am I not correct?”
“Japa” is described as “the emigration of Nigerians to other countries (especially in Europe or North America) in pursuit of education, employment, or economic opportunities.”
Other entries include “suya,” defined as “thinly sliced pieces of spiced meat grilled or roasted on a skewer, typically sold by street vendors and eaten as a snack,” and “eba,” which refers to “a kind of dough made with boiled cassava meal, typically shaped into balls and forming a staple food in parts of West Africa.”
This latest update underscores the growing global recognition of Nigerian English as a dynamic and influential component of contemporary English.
