‘Agba Baller’, ‘Let The Poor Breathe’, Delulu, Other Viral Slangs Of 2023

In 2023, we lost Twitter and got X, Buhari moved to Daura and the Jagaban of Borgu moved to Aso Villa. There were significant changes in politics and pop culture. The Afrobeats category was added to the Grammy Awards for the first time in history. Likewise, the sociolinguistic wisdom of the streets of Nigeria evolved and new catchphrases took over the territory.

Here are the top seven slang phrases that were coined from the political scene, music, movies, comedy and sports.

1. No Evidence, you go explain tire

This pidgin catchphrase which was coined by Nigerian musician, Damini Ogulu, famously known as Burna Boy, tops the list as it was featured in an examination. 400-level students of the Department of History and International Studies at the University of Uyo were asked: “How the current popular saying of Nigeria’s music sensation, Burna Boy, ‘no evidence, you go explain tire,’ reflect the nature of history?”

2. Delulu

Thanks to social media, especially TikTok, our vocabularies are shrinking and expanding at the same time.

Delulu is simply a shortened slang for delusional. Within online spaces, using “delulu” to describe someone means they have unrealistic expectations.

3. Let the poor breathe, don’t suffocate them.

The popular catchphrase “let the poor breathe,” made by President Bola Tinubu, was first delivered in May, during a tour of the Presidential Villa in Abuja. The phrase has become very widely used amid increasing hardship as many Nigerians are now asking when exactly the poor would start to “breathe”.

4. Agba Baller

This catchphrase was popularized by sports and pop culture. The Governor of Lagos, Babajide Sanwoolu, applauded Super Falcons Star, Asisat Oshoala as ‘Agba Baller’ for the historic FIFA Women’s World Cup feat.

The most popular of many songs titled “Agba Baller” by Don Crucifixto captivated audiences worldwide, amassing almost seven million views on YouTube since its music video was released seven months ago.

Several Nigerian celebrities including Erica Nlewedim used the catchphrase as photo captions to flaunt their luxurious lifestyles.

5. Go to Court

In their pursuit for justice, politicians popularised the catchphrase “Go to Court”. Although a Lagos-based human rights lawyer and activist, Inibehe Effiong, described the viral phrase as insulting, Nigerians didn’t stop saying it to people who were passionate about advocating their causes.

6. Idan

Idan, a Yoruba word which translates to “magic”, became popular in 2023 when President Bola Tinubu used it to announce his presence on Meta social media platform, Threads.

He wrote: “My fellow Tailors, Idan has landed.”

It describes someone extraordinary, unique, special, influential, and powerful.

7. Dey play

The lyrical constructions of Afrobeats popularised the usage of this slang as it inspired several song titles in the Nigerian music scene.

Arguably the most uttered slang on the internet, it was popularised as a soundtrack for several comic skits since last year and will probably remain the best way to respond to people who are “delulu.”