The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) has added about 22 words and expressions from Nigeria and other West African countries in its 2026 update, reflecting the growing global influence of Nigerian English, Pidgin and regional culture.
The OED announced the update on X (formerly Twitter), revealing that hundreds of new words were added overall, including entries from everyday Nigerian and West African speech. The inclusion highlights how local language, music and cuisine are shaping modern English usage around the world.
Among the newly recognised Nigerian and regional expressions are “abeg,” commonly used as a plea or informal substitute for “please,” and “biko,” an emphatic request drawn from Igbo. “Afrobeats,” the globally popular music genre originating from West Africa, also made the list.
Traditional foods such as “amala” and “moi moi” are now officially documented in the dictionary, alongside informal slang like “nyash,” referring to someone’s backside in casual usage.
Cultural and social terms were also included. “Mammy market,” which refers to informal markets often run by women, and “Ghana Must Go,” the large chequered travel bag widely used across West Africa, are now recognised entries.
The update underscores the increasing global visibility of Nigerian and West African culture, particularly through music, migration, digital communication and everyday speech. Each of the newly added words now appears in the dictionary with formal definitions, grammatical classifications and usage examples.
Language experts say the development marks another milestone in the international recognition of Nigerian English as a dynamic and influential variant of global English.
