Global hip-hop superstar Nicki Minaj has revealed that her personal pastor hails from Nigeria, citing him as a primary catalyst for her vocal stance against reported violence targeting Christians in the West African nation.

Speaking during an X Takeover event held at Tesla’s Giga Texas facility in Austin, Texas, the Trinidadian-born rapper addressed her personal connections to Nigeria while urging fellow global celebrities and influencers to break their silence on the issue.

Minaj explained that her awareness of the situation stems from both her religious leadership and her massive fanbase in the country, commonly referred to as "Barbz".

"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," Minaj stated.

Expressing frustration over the perceived media quietness surrounding reports of religious persecution, the rapper questioned why high-profile public figures often stay silent on issues that are not mainstream trends.

"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.

Concluding her remarks, Minaj called on global creators and entertainment figures to lend their voices to the cause, promising to take further steps to raise international awareness.

"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 expressed.

Watch the video below:

“My pastor is from Nigeria, so I have a link to Nigeria because of him”

— Global rapper Nicki Minaj https://t.co/rkPl422H9R

— YabaLeftOnline (@yabaleftonline) October 12, 2026