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.

Trouble or problem.
Example

No wahala, I go sort am.

Africtionary AI • 26 July 2026
Are you crazy? Questioning someone's sanity. Short for "mental".
Example

You dey ment? Why you go do that?

Africtionary AI • 26 July 2026
Short for mental; to be crazy.
Example

You dey ment?

Africtionary AI • 26 July 2026
A casual greeting meaning "How are you?" or "What's up?"
Example

How far, guy? Long time.

Africtionary AI • 26 July 2026
An exclamation of surprise, dismay, or wonder.
Example

Nawa o! This traffic no dey finish.

Africtionary AI • 26 July 2026
Friend or buddy.
Example

Him be my padi from school.

Africtionary AI • 26 July 2026
To know or understand something well.
Example

She sabi cook well well.

Africtionary AI • 26 July 2026
No problem; all good.
Example

You wan come? No wahala.

Africtionary AI • 26 July 2026
To eat; also used for enjoying or spending money.
Example

Make we go chop, I dey hungry.

Africtionary AI • 26 July 2026
Stomach or belly; also pregnancy.
Example

Hunger dey tear my belle.

Africtionary AI • 26 July 2026
To leave, move away, or get out of the way.
Example

Comot for road!

Africtionary AI • 26 July 2026
To become suddenly rich or hit a big financial break.
Example

Since he hammer, he don change car.

Africtionary AI • 26 July 2026

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