Oxford Dictionary Adds 22 Nigerian Words in January 2025 Update

The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) has officially included 22 new Nigerian English words in its January 2025 update, reflecting the cultural richness and linguistic creativity of Nigeria.

Pivotal Contribution

Kingsley Ugwuanyi, a lecturer at the University of Nigeria and an OED consultant, was instrumental in the update. Announcing the development on his X page, Ugwuanyi expressed his excitement, noting that he drafted most of the words and recorded their pronunciations for the dictionary.

“I’m thrilled to announce that the @OED has officially published its latest updates, featuring an amazing collection of #NigerianEnglish words that beautifully reflect Nigeria’s culture, creativity, and the unique ways we express ourselves as Nigerians,” he wrote.

Highlights of New Additions

Among the new entries are terms commonly used in Nigerian English, such as:

• 419 (n.): A term for fraud or a fraudulent act.
• Agbero (n.): Refers to a tout working at bus stops, assisting passengers and collecting fees from drivers.
• Japa (n., v.): Popular slang for leaving or escaping, often used to describe emigration.
• Suya (n.): A popular spicy meat skewer.
• Gele (n./2): A headwrap often worn by women.

Complete List of New Entries

Here is the full list of Nigerian English words now included in the OED:

1. 419 (n.)
2. Abi (adv.)
3. Adire (adj. & n.)
4. Agbero (n.)
5. Area boy (n.)
6. Cross-carpet (v.)
7. Cross-carpeting (n.)
8. Eba (n.)
9. Edo (n. & adj./2)
10. Gele (n./2)
11. Jand (n.)
12. Jand (v.)
13. Janded (adj.)
14. Japa (n.)
15. Japa (v.)
16. Kanuri (n. & adj.)
17. Kobo (n./2)
18. Naija (adj. & n.)
19. Suya (n.)
20. Yahoo (n./2)
21. Yahoo boy (n.)
22. Yarn dust (v.)

Cultural Impact

This inclusion further highlights the global influence of Nigerian English, capturing the essence of Nigeria’s unique expressions and evolving lexicon.