*Alleged Christian Persecution in Nigeria
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Rapper Nicki Minaj addressed the United Nations headquarters in New York on Tuesday, delivering an impassioned plea for action against what she described as targeted violence against Christians in Nigeria. The 42-year-old “Barbie World” artist, known for her chart-topping hits, used the platform to thank President Donald Trump for elevating the issue and called for an end to religious extremism, emphasizing that her message was about “uniting humanity” rather than division.
Moderated by Fox News host Harris Faulkner, the special event was hosted by U.S. Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz. Minaj opened her remarks by expressing gratitude to Trump: “I would like to thank President Trump for prioritizing this issue and his leadership on the global stage in calling for urgent action to defend Christians in Nigeria and to combat extremism and to bring a stop to violence against those who simply want to express their natural right to freedom of religion or belief.”
Drawing from her global travels, Minaj wove in personal reflections on music’s unifying power. “Music has taken me around the globe. I have seen how people, no matter their language, culture, or religion, come alive when they hear a song that touches their soul,” she said. “Religious freedom means we all can sing our faith regardless of who we are, where we live, and what we believe. But today, faith is under attack in way too many places.”
She painted a stark picture of the crisis in Nigeria: “In Nigeria, Christians are being targeted, driven from their homes, and killed. Churches have been burned, families have been torn apart, and entire communities live in fear constantly simply because of how they pray.” Minaj stressed the urgency, repeating that her advocacy was apolitical: “I want to be clear, protecting Christians in Nigeria is not about taking sides or dividing people. It is about uniting humanity. 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.”
The speech follows Minaj’s recent social media posts on the topic, which caught the eye of Ambassador Waltz. On Sunday, November 16, Waltz praised her on X, calling Minaj “not only arguably the greatest female recording artist, but also a principled individual who refuses to remain silent in the face of injustice.” He added, “I’m grateful she’s leveraging her massive platform to spotlight the atrocities against Christians in Nigeria, and I look forward to standing with her as we discuss the steps the President and his administration are taking to end the persecution of our Christian brothers and sisters.”
Minaj responded on X the same day: “Ambassador, I am so grateful to be entrusted with an opportunity of this magnitude. I do not take it for granted. It means more than you know. The Barbz & I will never stand down in the face of injustice. We’ve been given our influence by God. There must be a bigger purpose.”
Minaj’s remarks come amid escalating tensions in Nigeria, where jihadist groups like Boko Haram and Fulani militants have fueled widespread insecurity, particularly in the north. Organizations like Open Doors report that Christians face heightened risks from targeted attacks, with Nigeria ranking as one of the deadliest places for believers globally. Recent incidents underscore the horror: In November 2024, gunmen abducted 62 villagers in Ligari, including a pastor and children, forcing survivors to renounce their faith under duress; two hostages were killed. On November 17, 25 schoolgirls were kidnapped and a school employee slain in Kebbi state.
Former President Trump has amplified these concerns, designating Nigeria a “country of particular concern” for religious freedom violations and warning of halted U.S. aid or military intervention if attacks persist. On Monday, the State Department affirmed the U.S. “stands ready, willing, and able to act.” Trump has framed the violence as an “existential threat” to Christianity in the region.
However, the narrative is more nuanced. Experts and residents argue the violence is not exclusively anti-Christian; Boko Haram and other insurgents have killed far more Muslims than Christians through indiscriminate bombings, assassinations, and political strife since 2009. Nigeria’s government has rejected Trump’s claims, calling them “bewildering” and insisting it is combating extremism across communities. Critics, including outlets like Al Jazeera, warn against framing it as a “Christian genocide,” noting the insurgents’ attacks on mosques and Muslim leaders. Still, groups like ADF International highlight the disproportionate impact on Christian communities in rural areas.
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