Of late, I have become more naijacentric in my thinking. Someone once asked me if I was not guilty of “stinking thinking”—a term (I hate to admit) sometimes associated with Nigerians. I boldly refuse! I am tired of clinging to the apron strings of a deep subservience to mental imperialism, which still lingers even in my generation. This mindset often leaves us unable to be uniquely identified by certain words we have contributed—or could contribute—to international conversations.

The French have jealously guarded their language and successfully imputed some of their words into English conversations. A word like précis is French, yet it is fully acceptable in English writing. The Spanish word loco has also entered common use. Several other languages, including Japanese and Chinese, have contributed words that have been borrowed into global vocabulary. I ask myself: what is Africa’s own contribution to this global conversation? In Nigeria, we have created local words that are uniquely ours. I make it a point to use them, even when speaking with non-Nigerians, to impress upon others that we too have some colour to add to the global palaver.

This note is an attempt to celebrate some of those Nigerian words which enjoy common understanding across our diverse cultures. I believe that if we learn to celebrate our own, then over time—given the vast influence Nigerians have globally—our locally invented lexis will also gain global recognition. This list is by no means exhaustive, but simply outlines those that I can recall. I hope you too will contribute the words you know. So, let’s begin! I trust you’ll find this interesting—and please feel free to correct me wherever I may have gone off point. Ha ha ha.

1. Naija: a local variation for Nigeria
2. Obodo: an local word for village which has become widely used such as Obodo Oyinbo.
3. Oyinbo: A youruba word for Caucasians
4. Kpafuka: to spoil something. I heard a friend of mine coin another word from this – ‘Kpafucate’, used when a person dies. Eg. The old man don kpafucate.
5. Owambe: used to refer to partying.
6. Wahala: used to refer to much troubles.
7. Tufiakwa: used to exclaim a spitting action. Can also mean ‘God forbid’.
8. Isho: a sort of subtle deception.
9. Chilax: a concactenation of ‘Chill’ and ‘Relax’.
10. Bam: used to refer to something in a good state.
11. Kampe: similar to the word above, but usually used when referring to a persons’ wellbeing
12. Gbosa!: an exclamation of some action such as Hurray!
13. Egunje: a bribe.
14. Fisi or Jara: an extra portion added to a purchase.
15. Efizzy: used to refer to some form of special effects.
16. Jand: a local word for England.
17. Konk: used to refer to the hardness of a thing. Also used to refer to a hard knock on the head.
16. Chook: to pierce with a sharp object.
18. Jam: to meet someone.
19. Nack. A local word for knock. Also has a very obscene usage( don’t ask me).
20. Shakara or Yanga: meaning to pose or make a showoff.
21. Lepa: a very slim person. Another word could be ‘Lenge’.
22. Orobo: a fat person. Some even say ‘Orobolicious’.
23. Gorimakpa: a well shaven head, without any hair left.
24. Mess: to release fowl air from the outlet behnd a person.
25. Bomful: a local word for Buffoon.
26. Ogo: the projection back head.
27. Akpola: a heavy shoe with a massive sole.
28. Sisi: a young woman very current in fashion.
29. Timedify: a word widely used among the Efiks referring to scattering something.
30. 404: used in reference to Dog meat.
31. Wack: to eat. ‘Wackis’ also means food.
32. Kabu Kabu: means a Taxi.
33. Danfo: a commercial mini bus.
34. Okada: a commercial motorcycle.
35. Akanawan Baby: An Efik word for an old woman still trying to be sexy.
36. Aje-Butter: a spoilt child or one raised in affluence.
37. Aje-Kpako: one raised in hard circumstances.
38. How far: What’s up.
39. Kolomental: an insane person.
40. Magomago: a form of cheating.
41. Expo: any form of leakage or aid for exam malpractice.
42. Fashi or Bone: to forget about somethng, or treat as insignificant.
43. Orijo: a local term for original.
44. Sawdust: a secondary school term for Garri. Some call it Garrium-Sulphide.
45. Tie-fling: a word used for a wrap of shit in a nylon bag in the absence of toilet facilities. Usually in some remote secondary school.
46. Jabo: to abandon a person.
47. Badoski: a person really skilled at his profession; good or bad.
48. Paddy or Pally: a pal or close friend or associate.
49. Pepper: used in reference to money.
50. Shaks: referring to hard drinks.
51. Lailai: never.
52. yarn: to talk aimlessly.
53. Okpas: a nonsensical talk.

Oya, make una write una own…me I don tire before I yarn okpas… ha ha ha!