American rapper, Nicki Minaj has said her relationship with a Nigerian pastor and support from her Nigerian fans influenced her decision to speak out about reported attacks on Christians in Nigeria.
Minaj made the remarks during an appearance at the X Takeover event held at Tesla’s Giga Texas facility in Austin, Texas, where she drew attention to what she described as violence against Christians in parts of the country.
Explaining her connection to Nigeria, the award-winning musician said her pastor’s Nigerian origin and her large Nigerian fan base, popularly known as the “Barbs”, had made the situation particularly personal to her.
“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.
The rapper also criticised celebrities and other influential public figures who avoid speaking about sensitive political and humanitarian issues because they are considered controversial or unpopular.
She urged fellow entertainers and global influencers to use their platforms to raise awareness about religious freedom and human rights concerns around the world.
Minaj maintained that religious freedom should not be taken for granted and said advocates should not be intimidated into silence.
Her comments have generated reactions on Nigerian social media, reopening discussions about international attention to the country’s security challenges and allegations of religious persecution.
Editor’s note: The report reflects Minaj’s remarks and allegations as presented in the supplied article. It does not independently establish the scale or religious motivation of attacks in Nigeria.
