Nigeria Slang Dictionary

Nigerian slang is the heartbeat of Africa's most populous nation - a fast-moving blend of Nigerian Pidgin, Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa that powers everyday conversation from Lagos to Abuja to Port Harcourt. It's the language of Afrobeats lyrics, Nollywood scripts, comedy skits and WhatsApp group chats. Words like abeg, wahala, japa and how far travel far beyond Nigeria's borders through music and social media. Below is a growing, community-built dictionary of Naija slang - and if a word you know is missing, you can add it.

A term used to describe extreme poverty
Example

SAPA don hold my guy

Annie 28 February 2022
Do you understand
Example

Do u gerrit

Annie 28 February 2022
Chineke is the creator of the universe and everything good in it along with rain, trees, and other plants
Example

Chineke, I can't believe I failed.

Adeola 08 August 2021
This is a common Nigerian greeting that means "How is everything?" or "How is it going?". It is a simple, informal greeting that’s best used with people you know well, or in casual settings.
Example

Hey man, How far?

Adeola 27 July 2020
A pidgin term for "please" or "I beg".
Example

Abeg! No waste my time!

Adeola 20 July 2020
A term used to describe someone regarded as a fool or someone who is very gullible or being conned
Example

My maga promise me hundred thousand Naira

Adeola 11 July 2020
An action word which means to punch or slap, but can be as well used to refer to the sound made when someone or something is being punched.
Example

I go give you gbosa for head.

Adeola 11 July 2020

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