- Nicki Minaj has reiterated her outspoken claims against the alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria, citing her pastor and Nigerian fans’ personal ties to the country.
- She spoke at the America Festival in Phoenix, condemning reports of kidnappings and killings of worshipers, vowing not to remain silent and calling on the international community to defend religious freedom.
- She also praised U.S. leadership for drawing attention to the issue.
Global rap icon Nicki Minaj has further clarified her outspoken stance on the treatment of Christians in Nigeria, citing deep personal ties and her refusal to remain silent in the face of “heinous” violence.
Minaj made a surprise appearance at USAFest in Phoenix, Arizona on Sunday, December 21, 2025, and answered questions about her recent advocacy. The rapper revealed that her concerns were prompted by her personal relationships, including her pastor and her large Nigerian fan base.
Mina explained that the country holds a special place in her heart, so reports of kidnappings and killings of believers cannot be ignored.
“Nigeria is a place that I have always loved. Someone who is very dear to me, my pastor, is Nigerian and I have a lot of Nigerian barbs. So to hear that people are being kidnapped in churches, people are being killed, being brutalized, all because of their religious beliefs, that should cause outrage.”
She stressed that the international community must not be intimidated by those who seek to suppress these reports. “We will no longer back down. We will no longer be silenced by bullies. We will speak up for Christians everywhere,” she declared.
The rapper also addressed the broader issue of religious freedom, reminding listeners that the freedom to worship publicly is a luxury that many take for granted while others are forced to keep it secret.
“We take it for granted that there are people in this world right now who cannot worship God as they please and as they please. Every time we pray together in fellowship, we must remember the people who are hiding in fellowship and praying together in this world right now, and we must pray for them.”
Mina’s advocacy follows her recent work with the U.S. Mission to the United Nations and her support for President Donald Trump’s statement that he recently designated Nigeria a “Special attention to the country”.
She praised current U.S. leadership for prioritizing religious freedom, in contrast to what she said was the silence of previous administrations. “Christians are persecuted in different ways in our country. So when we talk about Nigeria and other countries, know that previous administrations saw nothing wrong with this and that was their problem,” she concluded.
