Semantic Change in Nigerian English Loanwords from Igbo: A Study of Selected Online Communities

This study examines semantic change processes in Nigerian English loanwords derived from Igbo, with a focus on usage within selected online communities and social media platforms. The rapid evolution of digital language use in Nigeria has accelerated processes of lexical borrowing and semantic shift, yet these developments remain under-researched in the formal linguistics literature, particularly for Igbo-sourced vocabulary. The study adopts a corpus-driven descriptive approach, drawing on data collected from a sample of 500 posts on Twitter and Facebook published between 2021 and 2024. The data were coded using Ullmann's framework of semantic change to identify patterns of widening, narrowing, amelioration, and pejoration. Findings reveal that Igbo loanwords in Nigerian online English primarily undergo widening and amelioration, acquiring new positive social associations beyond their original semantic scope. Selected words are shown to transcend Igbo ethnic identity, functioning as pan-Nigerian expressions of affirmation and solidarity. The study further notes that digital communities serve as incubators for rapid semantic innovation, with new meanings established through high-frequency repetition within short time frames. The research contributes to the documentation of Nigerian English as a dynamic, evolving variety and recommends further longitudinal studies of digital language change in Nigeria. Keywords: semantic change, Nigerian English, Igbo loanwords, digital language, social media.