By Ghazali Ibrahim
The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) has expanded its recognition of Nigerian English by officially adding a fresh set of words of Nigerian origin, with the popular Yoruba dish “amala” leading the pack.
In its latest update, the OED included several Nigerian expressions that reflect the nation’s unique linguistic creativity, cultural identity, and culinary heritage.
Among the newly added entries are:
Amala, a staple food made from yam or cassava flour, common in Southwestern Nigeria.
Abeg, a widely used Pidgin English expression meaning “please” or used to make a request.
Nyash, a colloquial term for buttocks, commonly used across Nigeria and West Africa.
Biko, derived from Igbo, meaning “please”, often used for polite emphasis.
Moi moi, a steamed bean pudding dish, popular across Nigeria.
Mammy market, a term used to describe informal markets, often located in military barracks or schools.
Ghana Must Go, a nickname for large, checkered plastic travel bags, historically tied to migration patterns in West Africa.
Afrobeats, the now globally recognized music genre rooted in West African rhythms and contemporary pop influences.
These additions highlight the growing global influence of Nigerian and West African culture, particularly in language, food, music, and everyday expression.
The Oxford English Dictionary stated that the update is part of its ongoing effort to reflect the dynamic nature of English as spoken around the world, especially in regions where English has evolved in unique and localized ways.
In january 2025, the OED expanded its lexicon with the addition of 20 new Nigerian words and expressions which includes Japa, Agbero, Area boy, Suya, Gele, 419 and many more, reflecting Nigeria’s vibrant language and culture.
Also, in 2020, words like Okada, Danfo, Tokunbo, Agbada, Chop and many more were added into the expansion of words and expressions by the Oxford English Dictionary.
