What in the World Are Nicki Minaj and Trump right about Christian killings in Nigeria?
Nov 12, 2025
Ijeoma Ndukwe, a BBC journalist specializing in Nigerian issues, discusses alarming claims about Christian persecution in Nigeria. She explores the complex religious landscape and the conflict involving Boko Haram and ISWAP. Ijeoma clarifies that while jihadist groups target both Christians and Muslims, the data shows fewer attacks aimed specifically at Christians this year. She also examines the Nigerian government's response and public opinion, stressing the need to view the situation beyond religious lines while addressing celebrity reactions, including notable comments from Nicki Minaj.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Religious And Ethnic Patchwork
- Nigeria's population splits roughly half Christian and half Muslim, with regional concentrations in north and south.
- The country also contains 250+ ethnic groups, creating complex local religious dynamics.
Two Different Conflicts
- Nigeria faces distinct violent threats: jihadist insurgency in the northeast and farmer-herder clashes in the middle belt.
- These conflicts overlap with but are not solely driven by religion, complicating attribution.
No Evidence Of National Religious Suppression
- Incidents of religiously motivated attacks happen, but Christianity is not being suppressed nationwide.
- Christians practice openly across Nigeria, so claims of an existential threat lack supporting evidence.