American rapper Nicki Minaj says her Nigerian pastor and reports of violence against Christians in Nigeria inspired her to speak publicly about religious persecution and call for greater international attention to the issue.
Minaj made the remarks during an X Takeover event at Tesla’s Giga Texas facility in Austin, Texas, over the weekend. She discussed her personal connection to Nigeria and urged more public figures to speak about reports of violence targeting Christians in the country.
The rapper said her pastor’s Nigerian background had given her a personal connection to the country. She also pointed to her large Nigerian fan base, known as the Barbz, as another link to Nigeria.
“For Nigeria personally, my pastor is from Nigeria, so I have a link to Nigeria because of him. And of course, I have a lot of Nigerian barbs, but what I started seeing was the brutality with which Christians are being treated there just for being Christian,” she said.
Minaj also questioned why the issue had not received more attention from public figures. She suggested that some people may avoid speaking about subjects they consider controversial, even when those issues deserve public discussion.
“And I thought, why isn’t anyone making a big deal out of this, you know? And sometimes when things aren’t cool to talk about, people don’t talk about it,” she added.
She said she hoped more celebrities and social media influencers would join efforts to raise awareness about the reported persecution of Christians in Nigeria. Minaj also indicated that she intended to continue supporting the cause.
“So right now, actually, I’m hoping that more celebrities or people, influencers, I’m hoping that they come aboard the train to start speaking out about what’s happening to Christians in Nigeria. And I look forward to doing more to help in that way, in that cause,” she said.
Minaj’s comments come amid continuing international attention to insecurity and reports of religiously motivated violence in Nigeria. The country’s security challenges are complex, involving armed groups, communal conflicts and attacks on civilians. While Christians have been targeted in some incidents, violence also affects Muslim communities and others, making the wider security situation an important part of the discussion.
The rapper has raised concerns about religious persecution on previous occasions. In November 2025, she spoke at a United Nations-related event in New York, calling for greater protection for Christians in Nigeria and elsewhere. She returned to the subject in December 2025 during an appearance at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest in Phoenix, Arizona.
Her latest remarks add to her public advocacy on the issue, with Minaj expressing hope that other prominent voices will help bring greater attention to the experiences of Christians facing violence in Nigeria.
