Nigerian English Vs British English. Know the variety of English you speak

The Standard Nigerian English is a variety of the English language spoken in Nigeria by educated Nigerians. It is based on the Standard British English but contains some lexicons and similar sentence pattern of the American English due to the increasing contacts of Nigerians with Americans in recent times. It has its local flavours or spices which distinguish it from the British English.

It is termed "standard" because it is generally acceptable in the Nigerian context as it is sometimes used by Nigerian media and creative writers (e.g. Wole Soyinka, Chinua Achebe, Chimamanda Adichie etc.) to express their world view. To back up this claim, Ekpe (2007, p. 78) asserted that "...the Nigerian English is an evident that English in Nigeria is now widely seen as an indigenous language with acceptable local features."

However, such acceptability is limited to a certain degree since its use in formal writings is still frowned at. This might be as a result of the existence of a more standard variety known as the British English. Unlike the Standard Nigerian English, this variety enjoys international intelligibility, i.e., it is understood by all English speakers across the globe. Therefore, Nigerian speakers of the English language should be abreast of the workings of the British English and use it always or when necessary.

Now let's take a look at some Nigerian English expressions and their standard forms (British English).

S/N	NIGERIAN ENGLISH	BRITISH ENGLISH
1	Me  I can’t take it (the use of “me” together with  “I” in the subject position).	I can’t take it.
2	You are doing yourself.	You are doing that at your own detriment.
3	The principal is not on seat.	The principal is not in his office.
4	NEPA has taken light.	There is power outage.
5	The president casted his vote yesterday (often used on print media).	The president cast his vote yesterday.
6	NEPA has brought light.	Power has been restored.
7	Are you hearing me?	Can you hear me?
8	I feel like licking orange.	I feel like eating orange.
9	The girl is doing eye service.	The girl pays lip service.
10	Where did you keep the torchlight?	Where did you keep the torch?
11	His father is a big man	His father is a wealthy man.
12	The use of “In all ramifications” to mean “In all aspects/dimensions”.	In all aspects
13	Go and barb your hair.	Go and have a haircut.
14	I want to see you, sir (the speaker facing the person being addressed).	Excuse me, sir. OR I would want to have a word with you, sir.
15	The tap is rushing.	The tap is running.
16	Off the light.	Put off the light.
17	Sir, I want to sign my course form.	May you please append your signature on my form?
18	You are sick upstairs.	You are insane.
19	Barbing salon	Barber's Shop
20	The shirt is bogus.	The shirt is oversize/oversized.
21	The food is sweet.	The food is tasty.
22	He has to contest for the election.	He has to contest the election.
23	She hears English.	She understands English.
24	My body is scratching me.	My body itches.
25	I want to baf/bath.	I want to take my bath.
26	He pays his rent as at when due.	He pays his rent when due.
27	I escorted her to the market.	I accompanied her to the market.
28	My head is paining me.	My head aches.
29	She is my junior sister.	She is my younger sister.
30	It is high time I visit my parents.	It is high time I visited my parents.
31	You can’t eat your cake and have it back.	You can’t have your cake and eat it.
32	Do you hear English?	Do you understand English?
33	The sun has gone down.	It’s sunset.
34	The devil you know is better than the Angel you don't know.	Better the devil you know than the devil you don't know.
35	I am coming (whereas the person is leaving).	I will be back soon.
36	Please, borrow me your pen.	Please, lend me your pen.
37	Pump and plain.	Prompt and plain
38	Enter the line.	Please join the queue.
39	I will pay the debt instalmentally.	I will pay the debt by instalment.
40	The food is pepperish.	The food is peppery.
41	She requested for the book.	She requested the book.
42	The T-shirt did not size her.	The T-shirt is not her size.
43	Get inside the bus.	Get on the bus.
44	I am owing her money.	I owe her some amount of money.
45	She is good in English	She is good at English.
46	He travelled in a luxurious bus.	He travelled on a luxury bus.
47	Cut your coat according to your size.	Cut your coat according to your cloth.
48	I love the furnitures.	I love the furniture.
49	She has been disvirgined.	She has been deflowered.
50	He is a tout (whereas the speaker actually means “lout”).	He is a lout.

Please, don’t be in a hurry to leave. Which variety do you use? Is it Nigerian variety, British variety, or both varieties? Just tell us using the comment box. You can as well add to the list. Thanks!