11 Naija Slangs That Are Still All The Rave

Nigerians have always proven to be unique in whatever we do that foreigners cannot help but to be attracted and amused by us. From our inventions of dance moves to ‘Aso Ebi’ trends and slangs that hit and take over the streets, we are nothing short of amazing.

The origin of some of these sayings come from popular Naija artiste or a random person on the street. Once it latches on, the youths swallow it up, and it becomes a thing. Check out some popular slangs that are still all the rave in Naija;

1. Mad Oh!

Gist Mania

This is one of the most popular slang words in Naija. So popular that it’s in the Urban Dictionary. It originated from the streets of Lagos and it is an expression made when something unbelievable occurs or is said.
E.g; Guy: Babe, I love your eyes.
Babe: Mad Oh!

2. Gbas gbos

This slang is used when there is a war of words between two or more persons. ‘They both went gbas gbos at each other.

3. Parte after Parte

Even though it came from a Uganda rapper, where he sang it in his song, Naija has fully adopted the expression as it’s being used to describe any party or fun gatherings.

4. Gbe body e

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Even the Danfo Bus conductor screams this one when there is a bus or person blocking the way. It’s a term meaning ‘Lift or carry your body’, either on the dance floor or out of the way.

5. Ji ma sun

‘Wake up, don’t sleep’. It can also mean ‘Don’t dull’. It is used on the streets asking people to be awake and remain streetwise.

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6. Gbam

When a speech is made or a cliché is spoken, you hear the word ‘gbam’, meaning that they agree with the speaker. It is an affirmation of a word spoken and it is synonymous to others like ‘Rhema, Ride-on Pastor’, etc.

7. Omo Iyami

Literally, it means ‘The child of my mother’. It is used to hail one another on the streets. It is mostly used by the Yorubas when giving accolades to one another.

8. Warri

You don’t just say it, you scream it. It has been in vogue for a long time now, but the Warri folks are not ready to let it fade just yet. It is used to identify a fellow person who lived in the streets of Warri. So when the caller shouts “Warri!” the response would be “Street!”.

9. Oshe

via GIPHY

‘Oshe’ normally means ‘thank you’ in Yoruba. But this slang goes beyond that. When a remarkable thing occurs or is said, somebody shouts ‘Oshe!’.

10. Inside life

Eyewitness

It started with self-acclaimed marlians and stuck. It is the reality of things. When there is a remarkable secret that can’t be explained, someone says ‘Inside life’.

11. Gbese

Tori.ng

Just like ‘gbe body e’, it started off as a dance and stuck as a slang. It means ‘Lift your leg.’ If they want to say dance; gbese. If they want you out of the way; gbese.

What other popular slangs do you know that is still making the waves in Naija?