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EDUCATION: Japa, agbero, 419, eba, yahoo boy, 15 other Nigerian words added to Oxford English Dictionary •FULL LIST

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The Oxford English Dictionary has expanded its lexicon with 20 Nigerian words and expressions in its latest update.

The newly added entries include popular terms like “japa,” “agbero,” “eba,” “419,” and “abi,” among others.

These words, deeply rooted in the everyday lives of Nigerians, highlight the influence of Pidgin English, street slang, and cultural expressions that are increasingly gaining global recognition.

Notably, some of the words, such as “japa” and “jand,” appear as both nouns and verbs in the dictionary.

Pronunciation guides have also been provided to assist non-Nigerians in accurately articulating the words.

A Nigerian English consultant to the Oxford English Dictionary, Kingsley Ugwuanyi, announced the update on LinkedIn yesterday.

He expressed excitement over his role in drafting the words and recording their pronunciations.

Ugwuanyi wrote, “I’m thrilled to announce that the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) Oxford Languages | OUP has officially published its latest updates, featuring an amazing collection of Nigerian English words that beautifully reflect Nigeria’s culture, creativity, and the unique ways we express ourselves as Nigerians.

“This time, I not only drafted most of the words but also had the incredible opportunity to provide their hashtag#pronunciations! So, when you explore the OED online and click on the pronunciations, you’ll hear my hashtag#voice bringing these words to life.

”Among the entries, “japa” is defined as “the emigration of Nigerians to other countries (esp. those in Europe or North America) in search of further education, employment, or economic opportunity.”

“Agbero” is described as “a person (usually a boy or young man) who works as a tout, typically at car parks and bus stops, collecting money from passengers and drivers, and ushering passengers onto vehicles.

”The term “419,” widely known in Nigeria, is defined as, “Fraud (now usually perpetrated on the internet) involving requests for advance payment in return for a substantial share of a large amount of money, which ultimately is never given.

Frequently as a modifier, as in 419 email,

419 scam, etc. C. yahoo.

”Here is the complete list of Nigerian words added to the OED:

419

abi

adire

agbero

area boy

cross-carpet

cross-carpeting

eba

Edo

gele

jand (noun, verb)

janded (adjective)

Japa (noun, verb)

Kanuri

Kobo

Naija

suya

Yahoo

yahoo boy

Yarn Dust

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BREAKING: Rhodes-Vivour Aide Attacked as Police, Thugs Disrupt ADC Declaration (Video)

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Violence erupted on Saturday in Lagos during the planned declaration of Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, the Labour Party’s former governorship candidate, into the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Suspected thugs, allegedly backed by security operatives, disrupted the event, attacking supporters and injuring Rhodes-Vivour’s personal photographer and aid.

Eyewitnesses report that police, accompanied by armed groups, blocked access to the planned venue for Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour’s ADC declaration, despite prior payment.

Rhodes-Vivour was reportedly informed that the order came “from above,” directing him to seek resolution with the Police Commissioner.

The area was heavily militarized overnight, with soldiers and DSS operatives joining the police to restrict movement.

The actions against Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour’s planned ADC declaration have ignited outrage among his supporters, who perceive the incident as a deliberate attempt to thwart his move.

Sources indicate that Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, was expected to attend the event.

The disruption follows reports of violence against ADC supporters in various locations across the country.

Watch the moment Rhodes Vivour’s aid was beaten as police, thugs frustrate ADC declaration:


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Insecurity Renders 80 million Nigerian youths jobless- Report

The document, titled “State of the Nigerian Youth Report 2025,” presented in Abuja, yesterday, by the Advocacy and Youth Programme Officer at Plan International Nigeria, Jonathan Abakpa, painted a troubling picture of wasted opportunities in a country where over 60 percent of the population is below the age of 30.

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A new report by an independent humanitarian non-profit organisation, Plan International Nigeria, has said that nearly 80 million Nigerian youths are unemployed, while more than 1,500 schools have been shut in the past two years due to insecurity.

The organisation, while raising alarm over the worsening conditions confronting young people in the country, said the development had left about one million children out of school.

The document, titled “State of the Nigerian Youth Report 2025,” presented in Abuja, yesterday, by the Advocacy and Youth Programme Officer at Plan International Nigeria, Jonathan Abakpa, painted a troubling picture of wasted opportunities in a country where over 60 percent of the population is below the age of 30.

The report, produced in collaboration with ActionAid Nigeria, with contributions from policy and advocacy experts, was presented at the Nigerian youth dialogue in commemoration of the International Youth Day, organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Youth in Parliament.

(The Guardian )

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Benjamin Hundeyin Takes Over As New Force PRO

The IGP urged Hundeyin to deploy his wealth of experience in communications and security to further strengthen the image of the Nigeria Police Force and sustain robust relations with the public.

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The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has approved the appointment of Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Benjamin Hundeyin as the new Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO).

He takes over from DCP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, who served as Force PRO until his redeployment.

Hundeyin, a graduate of English Language from Lagos State University, also holds a Master’s degree in Legal Criminology and Security Psychology from the University of Ibadan.

He further obtained a Certificate in Civil-Military Coordination from the Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Training Centre, Jaji, Kaduna State.

The new FPRO is an Associate of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), a Member of the International Public Relations Association (IPRA), and an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM).

A seasoned communicator, Hundeyin previously served as the Police Public Relations Officer at Zone 2 Command, Lagos, and later at the Lagos State Police Command.

He was also part of Nigeria’s contingent to the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in Darfur, Sudan, in 2020, and at different times worked at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, as Administration Officer in the Public Relations Department.

The IGP urged Hundeyin to deploy his wealth of experience in communications and security to further strengthen the image of the Nigeria Police Force and sustain robust relations with the public.

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