Nicki Minaj Explains Why She Spoke Out on Persecution of Christians in Nigeria

Story: written by Uzuh Rita December 21,2025
American rapper Nicki Minaj has shared the reasons behind her decision to publicly address the attacks on Christians in Nigeria, citing personal connections to the country and disturbing reports of violence targeting worshippers.

She made the remarks during a surprise appearance at AmericaFest, where she responded to audience questions about her involvement in Nigerian affairs.

Minaj explained that Nigeria holds a special place in her heart, noting that her pastor is Nigerian and that she has a large fan base in the country, affectionately known as “Nigerian barbs.” These personal ties, she said, made it impossible for her to stay silent in the face of the violence.

“I’ve always loved Nigeria. Someone very dear to me, my pastor, is Nigerian, and I have lots of Nigerian barbs,” she said. “So hearing that people are being kidnapped while they’re in church, people are being killed, brutalised, all because of their religion—that should spark outrage.”

The rapper stressed that remaining silent only encourages oppression and declared her commitment to speaking out against persecution. “We’re not backing down anymore. We are not going to be silenced by the bullies. We will speak up for Christians wherever they are in the world,” she added.

Minaj also highlighted the broader issue of religious freedom, reminding audiences that many people globally are unable to worship openly and that such rights are often taken for granted in countries where they are protected.

“Every time we pray in fellowship, we have to remember those who are hiding to pray in secret, and we must pray for them,” she said.

Her comments follow a social media post by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who stated that “Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria.” Minaj expressed gratitude for the freedom to worship in the United States and condemned religious persecution globally.

At the event, she also commended Trump and Vice President JD Vance for understanding the struggles of ordinary people. She noted that Christians face challenges even in the U.S., emphasizing that strong leadership is key to protecting religious freedom.

“Christians have been persecuted here in different ways. When we talk about Nigeria and other countries, know that past administrations ignored this, and that was the problem,” she concluded.