By Emmanuel Daniji

American rapper Nicki Minaj wants more celebrities and social media influencers to speak up about reports of violence against Christians in Nigeria.

The award-winning musician made the appeal during an X Takeover event held at Tesla’s Giga Texas facility in Austin, Texas, where she spoke about the need for influential voices to draw attention to the situation.

For Minaj, Nigeria is more than just another country in the news. She said her connection to the country comes partly through her pastor, who is Nigerian, as well as her Nigerian fans, popularly known as Barbs.

She explained that reports of attacks against Christians had caught her attention and left her wondering why more public figures were not speaking about the issue.

“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,” she said.

Minaj added that she hoped more entertainers, celebrities and influencers would join efforts to raise awareness about the reported persecution of Christians.

“I’m hoping that more celebrities or people, influencers, I’m hoping that they come onboards the train to start speaking out about what’s happening to Christians in Nigeria,” she said, adding that she looked forward to doing more to support the cause.

Her comments have brought fresh international attention to the security challenges facing parts of Nigeria, where communities have suffered attacks, killings and displacement.

The violence has affected people across different communities, while the circumstances and motives behind attacks vary from one location to another. Religious persecution remains a major concern for many Nigerians and international observers, alongside the wider challenge of protecting civilians from armed violence.

Minaj’s appeal also raises a broader question about the role of global entertainers and influencers in drawing attention to humanitarian concerns beyond their home countries.

With millions of followers across social media platforms, celebrities can help bring international visibility to issues that might otherwise receive limited attention. The challenge, however, is ensuring that awareness translates into sustained advocacy and practical support for affected communities.