Why I'm passionate about Nigeria, by Nicki Minaj

American rapper Nicki Minaj has explained why she is passionate about issues in Nigeria.

The rapper has been very vocal about alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria using her global influence to demand actions.

Speaking during an X Takeover event at Tesla’s Giga Texas facility in Austin, Texas, Minaj said her Nigerian pastor is a major influence behind the decision to speak out about the alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria.

She opened up about her personal ties to Nigeria and urged more celebrities and influencers to use their platforms to address violence against Christians in the country.

According to her, reports of attacks on Christians, especially in Nigeria, left her deeply concerned that the matter had not gained wider public attention.

“For Nigeria personally, my pastor is from Nigeria, so I have a link to Nigeria because of him. And of course, I have a lot of Nigerian barbs, but what I started seeing was the brutality with which Christians are being treated there just for being Christian,” she said.

Minaj, who refers to her fans as Barbz, said she believed more public figures should use their platforms to raise awareness about the situation.

“And I thought, why isn’t anyone making a big deal out of this, you know? And sometimes when things aren’t cool to talk about, people don’t talk about it,” she added.

She expressed hope that more celebrities and social media influencers would join the effort to speak out about the treatment of Christians in Nigeria.

“So right now, actually, I’m hoping that more celebrities or people, influencers, I’m hoping that they come aboard the train to start speaking out about what’s happening to Christians in Nigeria. And I look forward to doing more to help in that way, in that cause,” she said.