American rapper Nicki Minaj has opened up on why she chose to publicly address the situation of Christians in Nigeria, pointing to her personal ties to the country and disturbing reports of violence against worshippers.

Minaj spoke on the issue during a surprise appearance at AmericaFest, where she took questions from the audience and was asked about Nigeria.

She said the country holds deep personal meaning for her and that reports of attacks on Christians have been particularly troubling.

According to her, her pastor is Nigerian, and she enjoys strong support from fans in the country, widely known as “Nigerian barbs,” making it difficult for her to remain silent.

Minaj said reports of Christians being kidnapped and killed while attending church should alarm the global community.

“Nigeria is a place I’ve always loved. Someone very dear to me, my pastor, is Nigerian, and I have lots of Nigerian barbs,” she said.

“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 argued that silence only strengthens oppression, insisting she is no longer willing to keep quiet on issues of faith and persecution.

“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,” she said.

Minaj also broadened the conversation to religious freedom, noting that many people around the world do not have the right to worship openly.

She warned that such freedoms are often taken for granted in countries where they exist.

“We take for granted that there, right now in this world, are people who cannot worship God as they please, where they please,” she said.

“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.”

Her comments follow her recent reaction to a social media post by United States President Donald Trump, who claimed that “Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria.”

At the time, Minaj expressed gratitude for the freedom to worship and condemned religious persecution.

“Reading this made me feel a deep sense of gratitude. We live in a country where we can freely worship God. No group should ever be persecuted for practising their religion,” she wrote.

During the AmericaFest event, Minaj also praised President Trump and Vice President JD Vance, saying they understand the concerns of ordinary people.

She added that Christians also face challenges in the United States, stressing that leadership plays a critical role in protecting religious freedom.

“Christians have been persecuted right here in our country in different ways. So when we talk about Nigeria and other countries, know that prior administrations saw nothing wrong with that, and that’s what was wrong with them,” she concluded.