American rapper Nicki Minaj has explained her decision to publicly address reports of attacks against Christians in Nigeria, citing personal connections to the country and concern over alleged violence targeting worshippers.
Minaj spoke on the issue during a surprise appearance at AmericaFest, where she responded to questions from members of the audience. While addressing a question about Nigeria, the Grammy-winning artiste said the country holds deep personal meaning for her, making it difficult to ignore reports of kidnappings and killings linked to religious persecution.
She revealed that her pastor is Nigerian and noted that she has a large fan base in the country, popularly known as “Nigerian Barbs.” According to her, these ties strengthened her resolve to speak out.
“Nigeria is a place I’ve always loved,” Minaj said. “Someone very dear to me—my pastor—is Nigerian, and I have lots of Nigerian Barbs. So hearing that people are being kidnapped in church, killed and brutalised simply because of their faith should outrage everyone.”
The rapper said remaining silent in the face of such reports only encourages oppression, stressing that she is no longer willing to keep quiet on issues of faith and persecution.
“We’re not backing down anymore. We’re not going to be silenced by bullies. We will speak up for Christians wherever they are in the world,” she declared.
Minaj also addressed the broader issue of religious freedom, noting that many people around the world are unable to worship openly or safely. She warned that such freedoms are often taken for granted in societies where they are protected.
“There are people right now who cannot worship God as they please or where they please,” she said. “Every time we pray freely, we must remember those who are hiding just to pray together.”
Her comments come weeks after she reacted to a social media post by United States President Donald Trump, who claimed that Christianity faces an “existential threat” in Nigeria. At the time, Minaj expressed gratitude for the freedom to worship and condemned religious persecution.
“Reading this made me feel a deep sense of gratitude,” she wrote. “No group should ever be persecuted for practising their religion.”
At the AmericaFest event, Minaj also praised Trump and Vice President JD Vance, saying they understand the concerns of ordinary people. She added that Christians face challenges even in the United States, emphasising the role of leadership in protecting religious freedom.
“Christians have been persecuted here in different ways too,” she said, adding that leadership matters in addressing such concerns.
