Oxford English Dictionary (OED) has announced its latest updates for January 2025, which include the addition of 22 new words from Nigeria.
Kingsley Ugwuanyi, a lecturer at the University of Nigeria and a consultant for the OED, played a significant role in this update and shared the news on his X page on Tuesday.
Ugwuanyi was instrumental in drafting many of the new entries and provided their pronunciations.
“The wait is over! 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.
“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.”
Among the notable additions is the term “419,” which refers to fraud, and “agbero,” a word used to describe a young man who acts as a tout at car parks and bus stops, collecting money from drivers and assisting passengers onto vehicles.
The recent update showcases the rich linguistic diversity of Nigeria and recognises the importance of its colloquial expressions in the English language. Below is the list of new words included in this version of the dictionary:
