American rapper Nicki Minaj has revealed that her pastor is from Nigeria, saying the connection influenced her interest in the country and her decision to speak out about violence against Christians.
Minaj made the remarks during an X Takeover event at Tesla’s Giga Texas facility in Austin, Texas, on Saturday, where she called on more celebrities and social media influencers to draw attention to the situation in Nigeria.
The rapper said reports of attacks on Christians had troubled her, prompting her to question why more prominent public figures were not speaking about the issue.
“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 Barbz, but what I started seeing was the brutality with which Christians are being treated there just for being Christian,” she said.
Minaj, whose fans are popularly known as Barbz, also suggested that some public figures avoid sensitive issues because they are not considered popular topics of discussion.
She expressed hope that more entertainers, influencers and other prominent personalities would use their platforms to raise awareness about violence against Christians in Nigeria.
The rapper also pledged to continue contributing to the cause, saying she wanted to do more to help draw attention to the situation.
Minaj has previously spoken about religious freedom in Nigeria. In November 2025, she addressed the issue at a United States mission event at the United Nations, calling for greater attention to the safety of Christian communities while also acknowledging that violence affects people of different faiths.
Her latest comments have renewed discussions about Nigeria’s security challenges, the treatment of religious communities and the role international celebrities can play in drawing attention to human rights concerns.
Discussion0