Among the newly added terms are well-known words such as “japa,” “agbero,” “eba,” “419,” and “abi.” These terms, frequently used in daily conversations throughout Nigeria, showcase the dynamic blend of Pidgin English, street slang, and cultural expressions that are distinctive to the nation.
Notably, some entries, including “japa” and “jand,” are categorized as both nouns and verbs in the dictionary. Additionally, pronunciation guides have been included to assist non-Nigerians in accurately pronouncing these words.
The update was announced by Kingsley Ugwuanyi, a Nigerian English consultant for the OED, who shared the news on LinkedIn. He expressed his pride in contributing to the drafting of the entries and recording their pronunciations.
“I’m excited to share that the Oxford English Dictionary has officially released its latest updates, featuring a remarkable array of Nigerian English words that beautifully capture Nigeria’s culture, creativity, and the unique ways we express ourselves as Nigerians,” Ugwuanyi stated.
He also mentioned that users can hear his voice in the pronunciation guides for the new entries.
The recent update includes several definitions, such as:
- “Japa”: The act of Nigerians emigrating to other countries, particularly in Europe or North America, in search of education, employment, or improved economic prospects.
- “Agbero”: A tout, often found at car parks and bus stops, who assists passengers and collects fees from drivers.
- “419”: A term for fraud, frequently associated with advance payment scams, typically carried out online.
Additional terms introduced are “abi,” “Adire” (a type of batik), “Areaboy” (a term for a lout), “Eba,” “Gele” (a type of headgear), “Jand” (to travel abroad), “Suya” (grilled meat), “Yahooboy” (an internet fraudster), and “YarnDust” (to speak nonsense).
The incorporation of these terms highlights the growing acknowledgment of Nigerian English as a vibrant and impactful variant of the English language. It also signifies another achievement in honoring Nigeria's rich linguistic and cultural heritage on an international stage.