Street
area boy
What does area boy mean?
Describes a rough, streetwise young man from a particular neighborhood, often associated with loitering, petty hustling, or extorting small money from passersby or drivers.
"Man I dey fear all those area boys for Alaba market."
Origin
Compositional Nigerian Pidgin term ("area" + "boy") describing a street-tough local figure; documented on naijalingo.com.
Frequently asked questions
What does "area boy" mean?
It refers to a local street tout — a rough, streetwise young man known for hustling or petty extortion in his neighborhood.
Is it used only in Lagos?
The term is most associated with Lagos street culture but is understood across urban Nigeria.
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