American rapper Nicki Minaj has linked her decision to speak publicly about alleged attacks on Christians in Nigeria to her personal relationship with a Nigerian pastor, calling on more celebrities and social media influencers to draw international attention to the issue.
The award winning musician made the remarks on Saturday during an X Takeover event at Tesla’s Giga Texas facility in Austin, where she discussed her connection to Nigeria and explained why reports of violence against Christian communities had prompted her to speak out.
Minaj said her pastor’s Nigerian background, alongside the large number of Nigerian fans who follow her music, had strengthened her personal interest in events in the country.
“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, whose fans are popularly known as Barbz, also questioned why more prominent entertainers and online personalities had not publicly addressed the issue. She suggested that concerns about controversy could discourage some public figures from speaking about sensitive subjects.
“And I thought, why isn’t anyone making a big deal out of this, you know? And sometimes when things aren’t cool to talk about, people don’t talk about it,” Minaj added.
She expressed hope that other celebrities would join efforts to raise awareness about attacks affecting Christian communities in Nigeria, saying she intended to do more to support the cause.
“So right now, actually, I’m hoping that more celebrities or people, influencers, I’m hoping that they come aboard the train to start speaking out about what’s happening to Christians in Nigeria. And I look forward to doing more to help in that way, in that cause,” she said.
Minaj’s comments have added to international discussions about religious freedom and the security challenges facing communities across Nigeria. Attacks on churches, Christian communities and religious leaders have featured in reports about the country’s prolonged security crisis.
However, violence in Nigeria has several causes and affects people from different religious backgrounds. In parts of the north-east, insurgent groups such as Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province have carried out attacks on civilians, while north-western states have experienced widespread banditry, kidnappings and killings.
In parts of the Middle Belt, recurring clashes involving farming and herding communities have also resulted in deaths, displacement and the destruction of property. These conflicts are influenced by several factors, including disputes over land and resources, criminal activity, ethnic tensions and, in some cases, religious differences.
