By Ebi Kesiena
Several everyday Nigerian words and expressions have been officially added to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), further cementing the growing global influence of Nigerian culture, language, and popular usage.
In its December 2025 update, the Oxford English Dictionary introduced more than 500 new words and phrases drawn from different varieties of English around the world, including West African English, Japanese English, and Maltese English. Nigerian English featured prominently in the update, reflecting how widely Nigerian expressions are now used both locally and internationally through music, film, social media, and everyday conversation.
According to the media, Nigerian entries added in the latest update include “nyash,” “mammy market,” “amala,” “moi moi,” “abeg,” “biko,” and “Ghana Must Go.”
The OED defines “nyash” as a colloquial term referring to a person’s buttocks, a word that has gained widespread popularity in Nigerian slang and online culture. “Mammy market” is described as a market traditionally run by women, commonly found in military barracks, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) camps, and educational institutions, where food and daily necessities are sold.
“Amala” was recognised as a dough-like staple food made from yam, cassava, or plantain flour, widely consumed in southwestern Nigeria. “Moi moi” (also spelled moin moin) was added as a steamed bean-based dish popular among the Yoruba and enjoyed across the country.
The interjections “abeg” and “biko” were included as expressions used to convey politeness, urgency, or emphasis, while “Ghana Must Go” was defined as the well-known chequered plastic bag widely used across West Africa. The term traces its origins to the 1983 expulsion of undocumented Ghanaian migrants from Nigeria.
This is not the first time Nigerian words have entered the Oxford Dictionary, but the latest additions highlight the increasing acceptance of Nigerian English as a legitimate and influential variety of the language on the global stage.
