At a United Nations forum on Tuesday, rapper Nicki Minaj used her platform to spotlight what she described as a worsening campaign of violence against Christians in Nigeria, urging world leaders to take the crisis seriously and applauding President Donald Trump for placing the issue on the international agenda.
Minaj, the Trinidadian-born pop icon better known for chart-topping hits than political advocacy, joined a panel that included U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz and several religious leaders. Her remarks aligned with growing calls from some American officials for stronger action against extremism in West Africa, where religiously motivated attacks have escalated in recent years.
“Today, faith is under attack in way too many places,” Minaj said, describing a pattern of Christians in Nigeria being “targeted, driven from their homes and killed.” She spoke of churches destroyed, families fractured, and communities living under constant threat “simply because of how they pray.” The 42-year-old artist framed the violence not as a regional concern but as part of a troubling global trend that “demands urgent action.”
Minaj also emphasized that her appeal was not intended to inflame division. “Protecting Christians in Nigeria is not about taking sides or dividing people,” she said. “It is about uniting humanity.” She extended the same message to her fan base — the “Barbz” — after some accused her of “going MAGA” for participating in the panel. She insisted the issue transcended politics, saying she would always speak out “if anyone, anywhere, is being persecuted for their beliefs.”
Her comments came amid increased attention in Washington. In late October, President Trump announced that the State Department would designate Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern,” citing what he described as an “existential threat” facing Christians there. Trump attributed the violence to “radical Islamists,” asserting that thousands had been killed. He argued that the situation required swift and decisive international engagement, even suggesting he would consider military intervention if Nigeria’s government continued to “allow the killing of Christians.”
The president’s characterization has drawn pushback from Nigerian officials. President Bola Tinubu issued a statement disputing Trump’s claims, saying they misrepresented conditions in the country. “The characterisation of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect our national reality,” Tinubu said, insisting that his government has taken “consistent and sincere efforts” to protect freedom of belief for all citizens.
Still, Minaj’s appearance underscored how the crisis in Nigeria has increasingly drawn voices outside traditional diplomatic or policy circles. Her presence at the U.N. event — and her willingness to thank Trump directly for prioritizing the issue — signaled a broader readiness among some cultural figures to weigh in on matters of religious freedom.
For Minaj, the message was ultimately centered on universal rights rather than ideology. “This is about standing up in the face of injustice,” she said. “It’s about what I’ve always stood for my entire career. And I will continue to stand for that for the rest of my life.”
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