American rapper Nicki Minaj has revealed that her pastor is Nigerian, describing the connection as one of the reasons she has taken an interest in the country.
The 43-year-old made the remarks during an X Takeover event at Tesla’s Giga Texas facility in Austin, Texas, where she spoke about reports of violence against Christians in Nigeria and called on more celebrities to join the conversation.
Minaj said her relationship with her pastor, alongside her large Nigerian fan base, had given her a personal connection to the West African nation.
“For Nigeria personally, my pastor is from Nigeria, so I have a link to Nigeria because of him,” she said, also acknowledging her Nigerian fans, whom she refers to as Barbz.
The rapper explained that reports about the treatment of Christians in Nigeria had prompted her to question why the issue was not receiving greater attention from public figures.
She suggested that some celebrities and influencers may shy away from discussing difficult issues when they are considered unpopular or controversial.
Minaj expressed hope that more entertainers would use their platforms to raise awareness about the situation and support efforts to address religious persecution.
Her comments add to her recent public advocacy on religious freedom and violence in Nigeria, an issue she has previously addressed on international platforms.
In November 2025, Minaj participated in a United Nations event focused on protecting Christians in Nigeria, where she called for action against religious persecution while emphasising the importance of freedom of belief.
Her latest remarks have drawn attention to the personal connection she says helped shape her interest in Nigeria, as well as her appeal for greater celebrity involvement in humanitarian and religious freedom issues.
