Oyibo na one of the oldest Nigerian slangs ever known. But what does it really mean?

What is Oyibo?

Oyibo na di slang wey people dey use to describe foreigners, especially those with different physical appearances. Dem dey use am to refer to people from other countries, especially Caucasians or those with light skin.

Origin of Oyibo

Di term “Oyibo” originate from di Yoruba language, where it means “ghost” or “spirit”. But now, dem dey use am to describe foreigners because of dia different physical appearance, which dem dey see as strange or unusual.

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How people use Oyibo in conversation

People dey use Oyibo to describe foreigners or those who dey look different. For example, “Dem be Oyibo” means “They’re foreigners” or “They look different”. Others fit say “Oyibo people” to refer to a group of foreigners.

Sarcasm Usage of Oyibo

Sometimes, people dey use Oyibo as sarcasm when a black person dey act like dem no be from di same culture or dem dey try to be like foreigners. For example, “You dey act like Oyibo” means “You’re acting like a foreigner” or “You’re trying to be something you’re not”. This usage can be seen as playful or mocking, depending on di context.

It's a Yoruba and Oyibo wedding.
Oshey! Husband is a dancer 0o

Michelle Obama South East National Anthem Asake Telles pic.twitter.com/2lFjD0e8G1

— Light (@altruist001) June 1, 2024

Examples of sentences using Oyibo

– “Di Oyibo man wey come to our office today” meaning “The foreign man who came to our office today”
– “I see Oyibo people for di airport” meaning “I saw foreigners at the airport”
– “You dey act like Oyibo, why you dey speak with fake accent?” meaning “You’re acting like a foreigner, why are you speaking with a fake accent?”

Note: Di term “Oyibo” can be seen as derogatory or offensive to some people, so it’s important to use am with caution and respect.