Sometime in May

Glossary

- CHAPTER 1

Noor is an Arabic unisex name meaning 'light' in Arabic.

"Where you dey go?" is Nigerian Pidgin that translates to "Where are you going?"

Fura da Nono is a traditional drink made by the Fulani from cow milk.

'Nau' is Nigerian Pidgin used to emphasise friendliness, familiarity or distress.

Msemen (or M'semen) is a fascinating element of North African cuisine.

- CHAPTER 2

Danfo is a yellow minibus used for public transport

Akara is a deep-fried bean cake.

Ayo is a unisex Yoruba given name meaning 'joy'.

- CHAPTER 3

Okada is a commercial motorcycle used for quick transportation.

Fisayo is a Yoruba given name that means 'God add to my blessing'.

NEPA was originally Nigeria's power holding company.

'Ehn' is a Nigerian non-verbal interjection derived from West African languages. Iya is a Yoruba word meaning 'mother'.

Ifeoma is an Igbo name meaning 'good thing'.

'Pele' is a Yoruba word. A soft way of saying 'sorry' or 'take it easy'.

'Oyinbo pepper' is a Nigerian slang that means 'foreign person'.

'I get wetin you want' means "I have what you want."

'Shebi' is a Nigerian slang with a lot of meaning, but examples are 'Is it not?' or 'Isn't it true?'

Ankara is a cloth featuring brightly coloured patterns using a resist dye.

'E dey here' is a Nigerian slang meaning "It is here'.

Suya is a spicy meat skewer, popular in West Africa.

NITEL was Nigeria's state-run telephone service before mobile networks

Tayo is a Yoruba given name that means 'worth joy'.

CHAPTER 4

Hajiya is a respectful Arabic and Hausa title used for a Muslim woman who has completed the Hajj.

- CHAPTER 5

Kayode is a Yoruba given name meaning 'He brought joy'.

- CHAPTER 7

Ali is a male Arabic name meaning 'high', 'elevated' or 'champion'.

Jasmine is a female Arabic name meaning 'flower'.

Moin-moin is a Nigerian bean dish.

- CHAPTER 8

Zobo is a ruby-red West African drink brewed from dried Hibiscus petals.

- CHAPTER 12

Adebayo is a Yoruba name that means 'The crown became joy'.

'Ha'an' is an exclamation used in informal conversations to express mild surprise, depending on context and tone.

'Jare' is a casual expression used to soften a statement, add reassurance, or signal familiarity.

- CHAPTER 14

Tobi is a Yoruba given name meaning 'God is good'.

- CHAPTER 15

Habibti is an Arabic word meaning 'my beloved'.

CHAPTER 17

'Oya' is a Nigerian slang that means a call to action to do something quickly.

- CHAPTER 18

Aso-Oke is a handwoven cloth of the Yoruba.

Iro is a wrapper in Yoruba.

Buba is a blouse.

Ipele is a shawl.

Gele is a head tie worn primarily by women in Nigeria and West Africa.