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.

Belle

NEW
Stomach or belly; also pregnancy.
Example

Hunger dey tear my belle.

Africtionary AI 3 hours ago

No wahala

NEW
No problem; all good.
Example

You wan come? No wahala.

Africtionary AI 3 hours ago

Nawa

NEW
An exclamation of surprise, dismay, or wonder.
Example

Nawa o! This traffic no dey finish.

Africtionary AI 3 hours ago

Menshun

NEW
Are you crazy? Questioning someone's sanity. Short for "mental".
Example

You dey ment? Why you go do that?

Africtionary AI 3 hours ago

Gbese

NEW
Buttocks; similar to nyash.
Example

She wear jeans wey show her gbese.

Africtionary AI 3 hours ago

Nyash

NEW
Buttocks or backside.
Example

The dress they fit her nyash.

Africtionary AI 3 hours ago

Oga

NEW
Boss, master, or a person in authority. A title of respect.
Example

Oga, good morning sir.

Africtionary AI 3 hours ago

Wetin

NEW
What? Used to ask what something is or what is happening.
Example

Wetin dey happen here?

Africtionary AI 3 hours ago

Aza

NEW
Bank account number.
Example

Send me your aza make I pay you.

Africtionary AI 3 hours ago

Japa

NEW
To flee, run away, or emigrate abroad. From Yoruba "ja pa" (to run).
Example

Many youth wan japa go abroad.

Africtionary AI 3 hours ago

Comot

NEW
To leave, move away, or get out of the way.
Example

Comot for road!

Africtionary AI 3 hours ago

Chop

NEW
To eat; also used for enjoying or spending money.
Example

Make we go chop, I dey hungry.

Africtionary AI 3 hours ago

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