American musician Nicki Minaj cited personal ties to Nigeria and alarming stories of violence against worshippers as justifications for her decision to openly address the state of Christians there.
During a surprise performance at AmericaFest, Minaj addressed the topic and answered audience questions.
In response to a question concerning Nigeria, she stated that the nation has great personal significance for her and that the news of attacks on Christians has been quite upsetting.
She disclosed that she has a sizable fan base in Nigeria, known as “Nigerian barbs,” and that her pastor is a Nigerian, adding that these relationships made it challenging for her to keep quiet.
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.”
The artist stated that she is no longer prepared to remain silent on issues of faith and persecution, emphasizing that silence only serves to strengthen injustice.
“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 discussed the more general topic of religious freedom, highlighting the fact that many people around the world do not have the fundamental right to freely practice their religion.
She cautioned that in nations where these liberties are safeguarded, they are frequently taken for granted.
She said, “We take for granted that there, right now in this world, are people who cannot worship God as they please, where they please.
“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 weeks in which she responded to US President Donald Trump’s social media tweet in which he asserted that “Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria.”
Minaj denounced religious oppression at the time and thanked God for the right to worship.
She wrote, “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.”
Minaj commended Trump and Vice President JD Vance during the AmericaFest event, claiming that they are aware of the worries of the people.
“She added that Christians face challenges even in the United States, stressing that leadership is crucial in safeguarding 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.