American rapper Onika Tanya Maraj-Petty, better known as Nicki Minaj, used her platform on Tuesday to issue a powerful call for action against the escalating violence targeting Christians in northern Nigeria.
Speaking at a United States Mission to the United Nations conference titled “Combating Religious Violence and the Killing of Christians in Nigeria,” Minaj urged the international community to confront what she described as systematic persecution of Christians in the country.
She vividly painted a grim picture of the situation: “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 also thanked President Donald Trump for “prioritizing this issue” and leading on the global stage in calling for urgent action to defend religious freedom in Nigeria.
Importantly, she emphasized that her advocacy is not about whether someone is Christian or Muslim. Instead, she framed her message as a fight for injustice, not a partisan or sectarian battle:
“Protecting Christians in Nigeria is not about taking sides or dividing people. It is about uniting humanity … This is about standing up in the face of injustice. It’s about what I’ve always stood for.”
Describing faith as under threat, Minaj 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 also noted her personal humility in taking on this responsibility, admitting she was “very nervous” before speaking, but said she felt deeply honored.
At the same event, U.S. Ambassador to the U.N., Mike Waltz, praised her as a “witness” who has stepped onto the world stage to highlight what he called “atrocities against Christians in Nigeria.”
Minaj warned that the growing crisis should serve as a wake-up call: when churches are destroyed, she argued, “everyone’s heart should break,” and the United Nations, which has a mandate to ensure global peace, should be deeply shaken into responding.
She concluded by reaffirming her lifelong commitment to justice, declaring that she will “continue to stand for that for the rest of my life,” and promising to care “if anyone, anywhere, is being persecuted for their beliefs.”
Context & Reactions
- Nigeria has long grappled with violence from insurgents such as Boko Haram, as well as clashes involving armed herders and bandits — often resulting in civilian casualties.
- Minaj’s intervention comes at a time when religious freedom and persecution have been hotly debated on the world stage, and some analysts see her high-profile advocacy as amplifying pressure on both Nigeria’s government and international bodies.
- However, her involvement has also raised eyebrows: critics argue she is not Nigerian, and question her understanding of the complex political, ethnic, and socioeconomic drivers behind the violence.
- On the other hand, supporters praise her willingness to lend her voice to a deeply serious issue — especially given her global influence.