Dare Babalola
American rapper Nicki Minaj has explained why she has repeatedly spoken publicly about the alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria, citing her personal ties to the country and concerns raised by reports of attacks on worshippers.
Minaj made the remarks during a surprise appearance at AmericaFest on Sunday, where she responded to a question posed by Erika Kirk, the widow of Charlie Kirk.
Asked what inspired her to speak up for Christians in Nigeria, the rapper referenced her connection to the country and concerns over reported violence.
She said, “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.
“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.”
This is not the first time the Grammy-winning rapper has raised the issue. In November, she also spoke at a United Nations-related event in New York, where she alleged that Christians in Nigeria were being targeted, displaced from their homes and killed.
The rapper urged Christians to remember those she said were forced to worship in hiding.
“Every time we pray in fellowship, we have to remember the people who are right now hiding to pray, and we have to pray for them,” she said.
Ms Minaj had earlier shared a screenshot of a post by former United States President Donald Trump on his Truth Social platform, in which he wrote on 31 October that “Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria.”
Reacting to the post on 1 November, Ms Minaj said it made her reflect on religious freedom in the United States.
“Reading this made me feel a deep sense of gratitude,” she wrote. “We live in a country where we can freely worship God. No group should ever be persecuted for practising their religion.”
At AmericaFest, the rapper also praised Mr Trump and Vice President JD Vance, while noting that Christians, in her view, also face challenges in the United States.
“Christians have been persecuted right here in our country in different ways,” she said.
However, the Federal Government of Nigeria has consistently rejected claims of a genocide or systematic persecution of Christians in the country. Nigerian authorities have maintained that violent attacks, particularly in the North and Middle Belt regions, are rooted in security challenges such as terrorism, banditry and communal conflicts, rather than religious targeting. They added that people with diverse religious leanings have fallen victim of the insecurity in different parts of the country.
