American rapper Nicki Minaj has explained why she chose to publicly address the situation facing Christians in Nigeria, saying the country holds deep personal meaning for her and that reports of attacks on worshippers are deeply troubling. She spoke during a surprise appearance at AmericaFest, where she responded to questions from the audience about Nigeria.
Minaj revealed that her pastor is Nigerian and that she has a strong fan base in the country, popularly known as “Nigerian barbs,” which made it impossible for her to remain silent. She described reports of kidnappings and killings of Christians during church activities as alarming, stressing that such incidents should provoke global outrage.
The rapper added that silence only emboldens oppression, declaring that she would continue to speak up for Christians worldwide. She also warned that religious freedom is often taken for granted in countries where it exists, urging people to remember and pray for those who are forced to worship in fear or secrecy.