Nicki Minaj

By Anas Abbas

Nicki Minaj has explained why she chose to publicly speak about the situation of Christians in Nigeria, saying her decision was driven by personal ties to the country and deep concern over reports of violence linked to religion.

The American rapper made the remarks during a public appearance where she was asked about her recent comments on Nigeria. She said the country is close to her heart, noting that she has long-standing relationships with Nigerians, including her pastor and many supporters.

Minaj said she was disturbed by accounts of kidnappings and attacks allegedly carried out against people because of their faith. According to her, such reports compelled her to use her global platform to draw attention to what she described as a moral issue that should not be ignored.

She also spoke more broadly about the importance of religious freedom, stressing that many people take for granted the ability to worship freely and safely. She urged the public to remember those who face fear and danger simply for practicing their religion.

Her comments followed her reaction to a statement by the U.S. President Donald Trump on the treatment of Christians in Nigeria. Minaj said her position was rooted in the belief that the right to worship should be protected everywhere.

The intervention has sparked mixed reactions, with some welcoming the international attention on Nigeria’s security challenges, while others argue that the issue is complex and should be handled with careful local context.

Dear Nicki Minaj,

As the latest spokesperson in America speaking on Nigeria, I must clarify that the script provided to you by internal actors back home in Nigeria and their collaborators in the United States is biased and one-sided. You might not fully understand the complexities of insecurity in my country, and you have been fed false lies about fictitious claims of ongoing Christian genocidal attacks.

Here is the reality:

1. In North West Nigeria, banditry devastates the region, with Muslims frequently killing fellow Muslims.

2. In North East Nigeria, Boko Haram and ISWAP, both Muslim terrorist groups, mainly kill fellow Muslims in Borno and Yobe.

3. In North Central Nigeria—Plateau, Southern Kaduna, Taraba, Benue—farmer-herder conflicts, caused by land disputes, are often wrongly seen as religious wars. These conflicts affect both Christians (farmers) and Muslims (Hausa-Fulani herders).

4. In South East Nigeria—Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi, Abia—IPOB terrorists, who are Igbo Christians, are killing fellow Igbo Christians in their bid for secession.

Dear Nicki, insecurity in Nigeria impacts Muslims, Christians, traditionalists, and atheists equally. The narrative you received is incomplete and misleading.

Nicki Minaj, the Muslims being killed in Nigeria, and other heinous crimes being perpetrated against them do not get to the headlines of international media for you and others to see and understand. The Muslims back home in my country bury their loved ones killed in silence, for they do not believe in using dead bodies for propaganda or to attract sympathy or donations from international organisations.

If you care about speaking for Nigerian Christians, I urge you also to speak for Black Americans facing police brutality. Just as you highlighted Nigeria’s challenges, you can bring the reality of racial injustice in the US to global attention.

Just like you are calling for global international attention on what has been tagged as ongoing Christians’ genocidal attacks in Nigeria, kindly also call global attention to the silent, ongoing police brutality against your fellow Black Americans and the racial discrimination they are facing.

If Nigerian Christians’ lives matter to you, then let the lives of your fellow Black Americans matter as well.

Thanks.

Mustapha Gembu is a Nigerian citizen and a proud advocate for peace, unity, and harmonious coexistence among my fellow Nigerians.