New York / Abuja — Rap star Nicki Minaj used a high-profile United Nations panel on Tuesday to call for urgent protection for Christians in Nigeria, warning that the community is “being targeted, driven from their homes and killed.
Speaking alongside U.S. Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz, Minaj praised former President Donald Trump for designating Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern. She said the violence facing Nigerian Christians is about more than religion — it represents an existential threat to faith and freedom.
Minaj emphasized that her advocacy is not about religion or taking sides: “this isn’t about dividing people … it demands urgent action” to defend religious freedom. She noted how her platform allows her to bring global attention to injustice, declaring her commitment to “stand up in the face of what’s happening.
U.S. Ambassador Waltz also lauded her remarks, saying she is using her influence to amplify the plight of Christian communities in Nigeria and calling for coordinated international efforts to end the violence.
Minaj’s intervention comes amid growing global concern over repeated attacks in Nigeria, where extremist groups have been accused of launching assaults against religious communities. U.S.-based advocacy groups welcomed her appearance, calling it a “wake-up call” for world leaders to intensify protection efforts.
The Nigerian government, however, has rejected claims that the killings are strictly religious — insisting that much of the violence is driven by broader insecurity, banditry, and armed conflict rather than purely faith-based persecution.
As Minaj left the UN stage, she reiterated that her message is rooted in unity and justice: “Religious freedom means we all can sing our faith — regardless of who we are, where we live or what we believe.”