The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) has expanded its global vocabulary with the inclusion of more than 22 Nigerian and West African expressions in its 2026 update, highlighting the region’s increasing impact on the evolution of modern English.
Several commonly used Nigerian words and phrases have now received official recognition. Among the newly added entries are “nyash,” “mammy market,” “amala,” “moi moi,” “abeg,” “biko,” and “Ghana Must Go.”
According to details shared by the OED on social media platform X, “abeg” is described as an interjection used to express emotions such as surprise, disbelief, or appeal. “Biko,” which originates from the Igbo language, is defined as a polite expression comparable to the English word “please.”
The dictionary also defines “nyash” as a slang term referring to a person’s backside, particularly that of a woman. Food-related words such as “amala”—a traditional Yoruba dish—and “moi moi,” a steamed bean pudding popular across Nigeria, were also included, reflecting how local cuisines are shaping global linguistic culture.
One of the most historically significant additions is “Ghana Must Go,” a phrase used to describe the large, checkered plastic bags commonly seen across West Africa. The term traces its origin to the 1983 mass expulsion of Ghanaian migrants from Nigeria, an event that has since become embedded in regional history and everyday language.
