American rap superstar Nicki Minaj has revealed the deeply personal reasons behind her recent decision to speak out publicly about the alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria. Her comments were made during an interview at the high-profile AmericaFest event on Sunday, December 21, 2025.
Personal Connection Fuels Public Stance
While responding to questions from Erika Kirk, Minaj pointed to her strong personal bonds with Nigeria. She disclosed that her own pastor is Nigerian and that she counts many Nigerian fans, whom she affectionately calls "barbs," among her closest supporters. This connection made reports of violence against worshippers particularly distressing for her.
"Nigeria is a place I've always loved," Minaj stated. "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 emphasized a new resolve, declaring, "We're not backing down anymore. We are not going to be silenced by the bullies anymore. We will speak up for Christians wherever they are in this world."
A Call for Global Religious Freedom
The artist broadened her critique to address religious freedom on a worldwide scale. She expressed bewilderment that the fundamental right to worship is often taken for granted. "We take for granted that there, right now in this world, are people who cannot worship God as they please, where they please," Minaj reflected.
She urged for constant remembrance and prayer for those facing persecution, saying, "Every time we pray in fellowship, we have to remember the people that are right now in this world hiding to pray in fellowship, and we have to pray for them."
Political Endorsement and Domestic Challenges
Minaj's public advocacy on this issue began in early November 2024. On November 1, she shared a screenshot of a post by former U.S. President Donald Trump from October 31, in which he claimed "Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria." Reacting to it, Minaj wrote about her gratitude for living in a country with religious freedom and asserted that no group should be persecuted for their faith.
At AmericaFest, she praised both Trump and Vice President JD Vance as leaders who comprehend the worries of everyday Americans. However, Minaj also contended that challenges to religious liberty are not confined to other nations. "Christians have been persecuted right here in our country in different ways," she argued, linking domestic and international issues by stating that past U.S. administrations failed to address such problems adequately.
This narrative of targeted persecution has been consistently rejected by the Nigerian government. Officials, including President Bola Tinubu, have labeled such claims as false and misleading, maintaining that the nation's complex security challenges affect citizens of all faiths and are not a state-backed campaign against any particular religion.
