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Nigerian words “Nyash, “Amala, enters Oxford English Dictionary

Author and OED Head of Pronunciations, Catherine Sangster, said the update marked an important development in how pronunciations are documented across different varieties of English.

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The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) has expanded its lexicon with the addition of new Nigerian words and expressions in its latest update, published in December 2025 and carried into 2026.

Ohibaba.com explains that “Nyash”, is a Nigerian pidgin, meaning buttock, while “Amala”, is a Yoruba word for yam -flour meal.

The update was announced on Wednesday via X by the OED and features widely used Nigerian and West African terms connected to food, music, everyday speech, markets and pop culture, highlighting the increasing global influence of African languages on English.

According to the OED, the December 2025 update introduced more than 500 new words, phrases and senses, while also revising over 1,000 existing entries as part of its quarterly review process.

Author and OED Head of Pronunciations, Catherine Sangster, said the update marked an important development in how pronunciations are documented across different varieties of English.

“With this update we introduce a new model for the transcription of Maltese English pronunciations; this is the nineteenth World English pronunciation model in our collection.

“We also celebrate a decade of OED having spoken pronunciations, which were first added in December 2015,” Sangster said.

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1 Comment

1 Comment

  1. Fawaz

    January 8, 2026 at 12:47 pm

    Quite funny an interesting development. Can’t wait to begin to expedite in writing

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Nigerian Law school student dies after falling from hostel rooftop

The deceased was a student of the Nigerian Law School, Enugu campus, who was undergoing externship programme at the Lagos campus.

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•Faith Alayande

A Nigerian Law School student identified as Faith Alayande, is dead after she fell from the rooftop at Lagos campus.

In a statement on Monday, Aderonke Osho, secretary to the council and director of administration, said that the deceased was a student of the Nigerian Law School, Enugu campus, who was undergoing externship programme at the Lagos campus.

Osho said preliminary findings revealed that the student died from injuries sustained after falling from the rooftop of the campus hostel around 4am on Friday.

The Nigerian Law School is deeply saddened by this tragic development.

“Management is working closely with the appropriate authorities and the family to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident, ensure that all necessary procedures are duly followed, and provide further information as appropriate.”

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Ekwulobia Suspends New Yam Festival for Kidnap Billionaire Son

A source from the community said the traditional ruler of Ekwulobia where Ezeokafor hails from, His Royal Majesty, Igwe (Engr) Emmanuel Chukwukadibia Onyeneke, officially suspended the Ekwulobia New Yam Festival, saying there was no need to celebrate while their son remained in captivity.

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• Joseph Ezeokafor

Ekwulobia community in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State has cancelled its New Yam festival celebration billed for September 4, 2026.

Ohibaba.com learned that this is because of the kidnap of billionaire businessman and owner of Jezco Group of Companies, Chief Joseph Ezeokafor.

Ezeokafor was kidnapped in Awka on Tuesday last week when he stepped out of his house without his security details to attend to his spiritual need, where he goes to offer prays.

Public Relations Officer of Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga who confirmed the development said that serious operation is currently ongoing to save the elder statesman.

His kidnap has sent his community into mourning, causing the postponement of the new Yam festival, an annual festival which holds on a static date every year.

A source from the community said the traditional ruler of Ekwulobia where Ezeokafor hails from, His Royal Majesty, Igwe (Engr) Emmanuel Chukwukadibia Onyeneke, officially suspended the Ekwulobia New Yam Festival, saying there was no need to celebrate while their son remained in captivity.

“The Igwe said the community of Ekwulobia cannot celebrate while their son remains in the custody of the kidnappers,” the source said.

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NLC disrupts Air Peace flight

The affected Air Peace flight, scheduled to depart Lagos at 6:30am, could not take off as passengers waited amid the disruption.

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The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Tuesday disrupted flight operations in Lagos, leaving passengers scheduled to travel on an Air Peace flight stranded at the airport.‎‎

Our Reporter learned that the “protest was intended to enforce Air Peace employees right to join the union.”

Zulu terminal gate was under lock and key. The protest started at about 5am.‎‎

The affected Air Peace flight, scheduled to depart Lagos at 6:30am, could not take off as passengers waited amid the disruption.

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