My Nigerian Pastor Inspired Me to Speak Out on Christian Persecution — Nicki Minaj
American rapper Nicki Minaj has revealed that her relationship with a Nigerian pastor helped establish her personal connection to Nigeria and influenced her decision to speak publicly about reports of violence against Christians in the country.
Minaj made the remarks during an X Takeover event at Tesla’s Giga Texas facility in Austin, Texas. Her comments, which circulated online on Monday, October 12, 2026, included a call for more celebrities and social media influencers to draw attention to the situation.
According to reports by PUNCH and Premium Times, the rapper said her Nigerian pastor and her Nigerian fans, popularly known as Barbz, were among the reasons Nigeria holds a personal place in her life. However, she said reports about the treatment of Christians were what prompted her to speak out.
“For Nigeria personally, my pastor is from Nigeria, so I have a link to Nigeria because of him,” she said.
Minaj added that accounts of Christians being attacked because of their faith had troubled her and questioned why the issue was not receiving more attention from prominent public figures. Minaj urges celebrities to speak up
The rapper said she hoped more entertainers and influencers would use their platforms to raise awareness about reports of violence against Christians in Nigeria.
She suggested that public figures sometimes avoid sensitive issues because they are not considered popular topics of discussion.
Minaj said she wanted more people with large audiences to join the conversation and indicated that she intended to continue supporting the cause.
Her appeal places renewed attention on the role celebrities can play in international conversations about religious freedom, insecurity and human rights.
With a large global fanbase, Minaj’s comments have also drawn attention to the experiences of Nigerians and the country’s security challenges beyond its borders.
Previous comments on religious freedom
This is not the first time Minaj has spoken about religious violence in Nigeria.
In November 2025, she addressed the issue at a United Nations-related event in New York, where she raised concerns about reports of attacks on Christians and called for freedom of worship.
She also spoke about the issue at America Fest in December 2025, referring to her Nigerian pastor and her connection with Nigerian fans as part of her motivation for speaking publicly. Her latest comments continue that advocacy, with a particular emphasis on encouraging other influential people to speak about the issue.
Debate over religious violence in Nigeria
Nigeria has experienced serious insecurity, including attacks by armed groups, kidnappings and violence affecting communities in different parts of the country. Christians have been among the victims of attacks, while Muslims and other communities have also suffered from insecurity.
There is continuing debate over how to describe the causes and patterns of this violence, including whether particular attacks amount to systematic religious persecution. The Nigerian government has rejected claims that Christians are being subjected to a coordinated campaign of genocide, maintaining that insecurity affects people across religious communities.
Minaj’s comments reflect her concerns about the treatment of Christians and her call for greater international attention. Her statements should be distinguished from independently verified assessments of the scale, causes and religious targeting of violence in Nigeria.
The rapper has not named her Nigerian pastor in the reports covering the latest remarks.
Her appeal for more public figures to speak out has renewed discussion about Nigeria’s security situation and the importance of protecting freedom of religion for all citizens.
Source: PUNCH Newspapers, with additional reporting from Premium Times and TheCable.
