The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) has added 22 Nigerian and West African words to its 2026 edition, signalling the dynamic influence of the region’s English on a global scale.
This update includes over 500 new words in total, with many terms derived from the Pidgin dialects of Nigeria, Ghana, Gambia, Liberia, and Sierra Leone.
Critics and netizens alike took to social media to weigh in on the update. On Facebook, user @Ansumanah K Kromanah commented, "Adding ‘Nyash’ was really necessary because ‘nyash’ is life," while @Tommy Kawawa suggested, "Next time they must add 'Oga'."
Meanwhile, @Zaki Solomon hilariously remarked, "That's good, make person pikin mock me for speaking Pidgin."
This latest inclusion builds on previous recognitions, following the 20 Nigerian words added in 2025, such as japa(to emigrate) and agbero (touts) and 29 in 2020, including danfo (minibuses).
While the OED has acknowledged West African contributions since its founding in 1884, the recent surge appears to be driven by migration, music and a pervasive digital culture.
The new entries span nouns, verbs, and interjections, reflecting the linguistic diversity of Pidgin, Yoruba, and Igbo. These additions capture the essence of daily life; for instance, wahala (trouble), abeg (an interjection for pleading or exasperation), and biko (an Igbo term for "please" often used to convey empathy).
The famous slang nyash, referring to buttocks, has seen its popularity skyrocket largely due to Afrobeats musicians like Chella. In recent years, Afrobeats has become a global powerhouse, fusing hip-hop and dancehall to spread Pidgin terms across diverse cultures.
These terms embody more than just street talk; they represent a significant pop-culture influence. The global impact of the OED’s move is further reflected in its inclusion of 19 World English pronunciation models.
Editor Cormac Sangster noted that the expansion of Maltese and West African accents within the dictionary is currently at an all-time high.