American rapper Nicki Minaj has explained her decision to publicly raise concerns about the alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria, saying her personal ties to the country and reports of attacks on worshippers compelled her to speak out.
Minaj made the remarks during a surprise appearance at AmericaFest on Sunday, where she responded to a question on what motivated her to comment on the situation of Christians in Nigeria.
According to the rapper, her long-standing connection to Nigeria and troubling accounts of violence influenced her stance.
“Nigeria is a place I’ve always loved. Someone very dear to me, my pastor, is Nigerian, and I also have many Nigerian fans,” she said. “So hearing about people being kidnapped in church, killed, and brutalised simply because of their faith should make anyone angry.”
She stressed that she was no longer willing to remain silent on issues of religious persecution, insisting that Christians worldwide deserve protection and freedom of worship.
“We are not backing down anymore. We will not be silenced by bullies. We will speak up for Christians wherever they are in the world,” Minaj said.
The rapper also spoke more broadly about religious freedom, noting that many people often overlook the fact that millions around the world cannot practise their faith openly.
“We take it for granted that there are people, right now, who cannot worship God freely or openly,” she said. “Each time we pray together, we should remember those who are hiding just to pray and lift them up in our prayers.”
Minaj had earlier shared a post by former United States President Donald Trump, who wrote on October 31 that Christianity was facing an “existential threat” in Nigeria. Reacting to the post a day later, the rapper said it reminded her of the freedom of worship enjoyed in the United States.
“Reading this made me deeply grateful that we live in a country where we can freely worship God. No one should ever be persecuted for their religion,” she wrote at the time.
The singer has previously drawn attention to Nigeria during a collaboration with the United States Ambassador to the United Nations, Mike Waltz, where she also raised concerns about the treatment of Christians.
At the AmericaFest event, Minaj further praised Trump and Vice President JD Vance, describing them as leaders who she believes understand the struggles of everyday Americans. She added that Christians also face challenges within the United States.
“Christians have been persecuted even here at home in different ways. Leadership matters when it comes to protecting religious freedom,” she said.
However, the Federal Government of Nigeria has consistently dismissed claims of a coordinated or systematic campaign against Christians, describing such narratives as misleading.
The government maintains that insecurity in the country affects people of all religious backgrounds and is not driven by state-backed religious persecution.
