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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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FG announces two-week traffic delays on Kara–Berger Bridge for repairs

The TRACE Acting Commander, Mr A. Ojerinde, stated that a multi-agency operation including TRACE, the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, and the Nigeria Police Force will be deployed along the corridor to enforce traffic control.

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THE Federal Government has alerts motorists and commuters on the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway of possible travel delays, starting Tuesday September 8 for two weeks repair works on the Kara–Berger Bridge

The project, earlier slated to commence in August 2026, was suspended for traffic review following public outcry over short notice and the need for effective traffic management.

The two-week rehabilitation project, directed by the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, involves the replacement of deteriorating expansion joints to improve road safety, structural integrity, and long-term traffic flow on the busy corridor.

The project is expected to run through September 22, 2026.

The Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency, TRACE, alongside the Federal Ministry of Works and key stakeholders, in a statement, warned motorists to prepare for lane restrictions, particularly during peak commuting hours.

The TRACE Acting Commander, Mr A. Ojerinde, stated that a multi-agency operation including TRACE, the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, and the Nigeria Police Force will be deployed along the corridor to enforce traffic control.

Ojerinde, who urged road users to plan ahead, said “Leave earlier than usual to accommodate expected travel delays.

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MKO Abiola’s Documentary to hit Cinemas in October

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A new documentary on the life and political struggle of the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola is set to premiere in Nigerian cinemas in October.

Titled MKO, the 108-minute film is directed by Ose Oyamendan and produced with American documentary filmmaker Mark Jonathan Harris. It explores the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election, widely regarded as free and fair, Abiola’s subsequent detention, and the controversial circumstances surrounding his death in custody in 1998.

The documentary features interviews with key figures including former military rulers Ibrahim Babangida and Abdulsalami Abubakar, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka, Abiola’s running mate Baba Gana Kingibe, members of the Abiola family, journalists, and diplomats.

Oyamendan, who worked as a young journalist during the June 12 crisis, has described the film as an investigative documentary that examines Nigeria’s unfinished democratic journey. It had its world premiere earlier this year at the Sheffield DocFest in the United Kingdom.

The Nigerian cinema release is scheduled for early October, with some reports linking the premiere to Independence Day on October 1.

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BREAKING: JAMB releases underage UTME results, clarifies admission conditions

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The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has released the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results of underage candidates for viewing.

In a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja by the Board’s Public Communication Adviser, Dr Fabian Benjamin, JAMB defined an underage candidate for the 2026 admission exercise as any candidate who will be less than 16 years old as at September 30, 2026.

Benjamin said the results were released primarily to enable candidates and their parents or guardians to know their performance in the examination. However, he stressed that the release does not confer eligibility for admission on all underage candidates.

According to him, the results cannot be used for admission or any other official purpose, except by candidates who satisfy the stringent requirements prescribed for exceptionally performing underage candidates.

Candidates can check their results by sending “RESULT” to 55019 or 66019 using the same SIM card with which they registered for the UTME.

JAMB reiterated that only underage candidates who demonstrate exceptional academic ability and maturity will be considered for admission through a rigorous, multi-stage assessment process. Key requirements include a minimum UTME score of 320, at least 80 per cent performance in relevant Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE) subjects where applicable, satisfaction of the Post-UTME requirements of their chosen institutions, and a final assessment conducted by experts.

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