Streets the world over have a language of their own, complete with body nuances, expressions and gestures that give more depth to the words used and which makes the speaker a local or a newbie (or if you prefer a ‘tokunboh’). Slangs in Nigeria usually are a coinage of onomatopoeia, formal English, native tongue, Pidgin English and whatever that cuts it!
We invite you to test your street side smarts with these and score yourself. And not to worry, your report card is addressed to you only!
A score of:
90-100% …………You are tops! You are ‘SHARP’. In fact ‘na you carry first’ in this subject!
70-80%…….……. Great. ‘No dulling with you’
50-60%.…………. Good. You need to ‘arrange’ and we are glad to help
30-40%……………Hmm! You are rusty and need some tutelage. Read up!
10-20%.….………What? Enlist for immediate training at the nearest bus stop in your in locality
Less than 10%……… Sorry. We are not surprised; you are a foreigner!

1. Oga……………………………. Boss; the person at the helm of affairs in a group or establishment
2. Wayo……………… ………. Cheating/Fraud: usually on a small scale. person to person kind of thing3. Gist…………………………. Gossip; Latest news in town
4. Swag………………………. Display of affluence, elegance; display of stylishness
5. Jambite……………………. Fresh University Undergraduate
6. Toasting…………………To engage a girl in a chat looking to friendship
7. Runs…………………………Illegal means of making cash; especially practised
Students of higher institutions
8. Roundabout……………Refers to the intestine of cattle when cooked
For food
9. Baga………………………………. Bastard, idiot, fool
10. Maga……………………………. Fooled or swindled by someone
11. Gbera………………………………. A call to move from signalling danger; usually used by Area Boys as a signal to act
12. Oya……………………………………Quick, ready, to get someone’s attention
13. Korokoro……………………….In my presence
14. Orobo………………………………Fat person
15. Roforofo………………………. Something that is messy or muddy
16. Effizy………………………………. Stylish, swag and boastful
17. Baddoo…………………………. Bad person
18. Akpunwa ………………………A strong person
19. Gbam……………………………..Correct, in agreement, final
20. Otumokpo……………………Voodoo or black magic
21. Denge………………………………. Show off, posing
22. Pose………………………………. Show off, overestimation of yourself
23. Gig ………………………………. Part
24. Yanga…………………………. Same as ‘effizzy”. This is the oldest slang for narcissism
25. Fab …………………………….…Fabulous
26. Dub………………………………….Plagiarism
27. Jack………………………………… To cramp knowledge
28. Sort…………………………………To bribe
29. Crash…………………………………. Sleep
30. Rake…………………………………… To confront and scold
31. Kolo…………………………………Crazy
32. Chips……………………………… Small pieces of papers with answers to an exam/test carried in to cheat
33. Jonesing………………………………To fool around
34. Brush…………………………………To beat someone
35. Fashi………………………………….To let go of something
36. Woza…………………………………………Slap
37. Baffs……………………………………. Designer clothes
38. Comot…………………………………………. To go
39. Pam…………………………………………To steal graciously and feign clumsiness
40. Mud……………………………………………To die
41. Awoof…………………………………………Freebies
42. Wetin………………………………………………What
43. ITK……………………………………………………. I too know
44. Teytey………………………………………………. Long time ago
45. Form……………………………………………Pretence, fake life
46. Twale……………………………………………. Salute and loud cheer
47. Yawa………………………………………………Problem
48. Gbana………………………………………………Marijuana
49. Wewe……………………………………………. Marijuana
50. Akata…………………………………………Cougar women
51. Aristo…………………Sugar daddy
52. Dash………………………………………. To give/free gift
53. Ojoro………………………………………To cheat
54. Mumu…………………………………………Fool
55. Hala…………………………………………To scold/harass
56. Sabi………………………………………….To know
57. Akwankwa…………………………………Beautiful and delicant
58. Whozup………………………………………What’s up?
59. Dapper………………………………………………….………………Dressing that is in vogue
60. Area………………………………………………………………………. Leader of a gang
61. Omo……………………………………………………….…………………Child
62. IwayiI…………………………………………………………………………. Cash
63. Katakata…………………………………………………………………. Pandemonium
64. Kasala……………………………………………….……………………. Ttouble/Problem
65. Naija…………………………………………………….……………………. Nigeria
66. Abeg……………………………………………………………………….…. Please
67. Sort/Sorting………………………………………..………….To bribe
68. Olopa…………………….…………..………Police officers
69. Yan……………………………………………..………………………Say
70. Gbedu…………………………………………………………………Music
71. Crash……………………………………………………….…………Sleep
72. Ehen…………………………………………………………………….So
73. OdeshiI……………………………………………….………………..Charm
74. Kak……………………………………………………….……………..Sit
75. Agbero……………………………………………..………………..Thug
76. Gbege…………………………………………………………..………Trouble
77. Nack…………………………………………………………….……… To hit
78. Domot…………………………………………………………………Entrance
79. Yankee…………………………………………………………………USA
80. Jand………………………………………………………..……………UK
81. E/Im………………………………………………………….……………He/she
82. Am…………………………………………………………………………It/her/him
83. Dem ……………………………………………………….…………….They/Them
84. Troway………………………………………………….…………….Reject
85. O’boy………………………………………………………………….Friend
86. Yahoo……………………………………………………………………Internet Fraudster
87. Blend ……………………………………………………………………To join a fraternity
88. Brush ………………………………………………………….………..Beat
89. Cable ………………………………………………………….………..To leak a secret
90. Kawa…………………………………………………………….………Leave
91. Soji……………………………………………………………………..…Street-smart
92. Tush………………………………………………………………..…….A sophisticated person
93. Shakara ……………………………………………………………..Boisterious
94. Fabu………………………………………………………….…………..Lie
95. Jeje………………………………………………………………..………Easy
96. Bash…………………………………………………………….……….Party
97. Bae………………………………………………………………………..Lover
98. Slay…………………………………………………………………….…Beautifully dressed
99. Savage…………………………………………………………………Mean
100.Turnup………………………………………………..…………..…Part
101. Shade ………………………………………………………………..Mean Sarcasm
102. Okada……………………………………..………………………Commercial motorcyclist
103. Dash……………………………………………………….……….Free gift
104. Akube…………………………………………………………….. Best quality of second hand items

105. Radionic…………………………………………………..…….. Repair man
106. Aso-ebi………………………………………………………….Fabric used as uniform for an event
107. Hammer…………………………………………………..To make lots of money suddenly
108. Lepa………………………………………………………….Skinny person
109. Eja……………………………………………………………..Marijuana
110.Drop……………………………………………………………To hire a taxi
111.Sharp…………………………………………………………Smart
112. Bros………………………………………………………….Pal/Neighbour
113. Arrange…………………………………………………Organize/prepare