In a landmark recognition of Nigerian culture and language, the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) has officially included popular Nigerian terms ‘nyash’, ‘mammy market’, and ‘amala’ among dozens of new West African entries in its December 2025 update, released this week.
The additions highlight the growing global influence of Nigerian English, Pidgin, and cultural expressions on the English language. Other notable Nigerian words added include ‘abeg’, ‘biko’, ‘moi moi’, ‘Ghana Must Go’, and ‘Afrobeats’, alongside terms from Ghana, Gambia, Liberia, and Sierra Leone.
According to the OED:
- Nyash: Defined as a person’s buttocks, especially those of a woman (slang, often used in Nigerian Pidgin).
- Mammy market: A market typically run by women, originally found in Nigerian military barracks but now common in youth service camps, universities, and other institutions.
- Amala: In Nigerian cookery, a kind of dough made from yam, cassava, or unripe plantain flour, typically formed into balls and served as an accompaniment to soups like ewedu or gbegiri.
The update also formally recognizes Afrobeats as a distinct music genre incorporating elements of West African music with jazz, soul, and funk influences.
Language experts say these inclusions reflect the vibrant spread of Nigerian slang, cuisine, and everyday life through music, social media, and diaspora communities.
This is a proud moment for Naija,” one social media user reacted. “From Afrobeats taking over the world to amala and nyash entering the dictionary – our culture is unstoppable!
“The OED’s latest quarterly release adds over 500 new words and phrases overall, with West African contributions making up a significant portion.This builds on previous updates, including 29 Nigerian words added in 2020 and more in 2025 such as ‘japa’ and ‘agbero’.Nigerians across the country and in the diaspora are celebrating the news, with trending hashtags like #NyashInOED and #NaijaToTheWorld dominating social media.
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