The Oxford English Dictionary has unveiled its 2026 update, confirming the inclusion of 279 new words and expressions. Among these are 22 drawn from Nigeria and several West African countries, marking one of the most culturally diverse updates the dictionary has published in recent years. The announcement was made through the OED’s official X account, where the editors highlighted the influence of West African culture on global language use.
The new entries reflect linguistic contributions from Nigeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone, Senegal and Togo. Many of the selected words have grown beyond local usage, gaining recognition through music, film, diaspora communities, social media and international reporting. According to the editors, the decision to include these expressions followed years of documented appearance in global English contexts.
Nigeria accounts for a significant share of the additions. Words such as abeg and biko, long used in everyday communication, were recognised for their role in shaping contemporary informal English across West African communities. Cultural expressions including Ghana Must Go, a familiar term tied to a popular woven bag, and Mammy Market, associated with informal commercial spaces near military and public institutions, were also added due to their presence in media and public life.
Food-related entries such as Amala and Moi Moi reflect the increasing visibility of Nigerian cuisine. These dishes now appear frequently in international food writing, culinary tourism and diaspora restaurants, making their inclusion a natural step for the editors. The addition of nyash, a colloquial term rooted in Pidgin and Nigerian popular culture, indicates a growing acceptance of regional slang within formal linguistic records.
One of the most notable entries is Afrobeats. The term has become central to global music culture, tied to an industry that now produces some of the world’s most streamed and toured artistes. Its inclusion in the OED confirms its position as a recognised global genre, no longer confined to African or diaspora audiences.
Ghana also received strong representation. Kpanlogo, a traditional dance and musical style, and dishes like Light Soup and Ampesi were included for their cultural and culinary significance. Abrokyire, a Ghanaian term used to describe the overseas diaspora experience, reflects language shaped by migration and global mobility.
The OED editors stated that their goal is to document how English evolves across regions, communities and generations. As West African media, cuisine and music continue to expand internationally, the language tied to them naturally finds its way into global English. This update demonstrates the growing impact of West African culture on the world stage and the dynamic way language adapts to reflect lived experience.
