Nicki Minaj Speaks Out on Persecution of Christians in Nigeria at AmericaFest

American rapper Nicki Minaj has publicly addressed the situation facing Christians in Nigeria, highlighting her personal connections to the country and concern over reports of attacks on worshippers.

Speaking during a surprise appearance at AmericaFest, Minaj explained that her Nigerian pastor and her strong fan base in the country, popularly called “Nigerian Barbs,” compelled her to speak out. She described the reports of kidnappings and killings during church activities as “deeply distressing” and warned that silence only emboldens such oppression.

“Nigeria is a place I’ve always loved. Someone very dear to me, my pastor, is Nigerian, and I have lots of Nigerian Barbs. 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,” she said.

Minaj stressed that freedom to worship is a fundamental right often taken for granted in some countries. She called on global communities to pay attention to those who cannot openly practice their faith.

Her comments follow a recent social media reaction to U.S. President Donald Trump’s post claiming that “Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria,” where Minaj expressed gratitude for religious freedom in the United States and condemned religious persecution worldwide. She also praised leaders she believes understand these concerns, including Trump and Vice President JD Vance.

Opinion: Using the Spotlight for Advocacy

Nicki Minaj’s willingness to leverage her global platform to address religious persecution underscores the power of celebrity voices in highlighting human rights issues. By connecting her personal experiences and ties to Nigeria with broader concerns of faith-based oppression, she draws attention to a critical humanitarian issue that often receives limited international focus. Minaj’s stance reminds us that advocacy can transcend borders and that using influence responsibly to speak for the voiceless is both admirable and necessary.

Her remarks also serve as a wake-up call: religious freedom is not universal, and the global community must remain vigilant to ensure all people can worship without fear or harm.