Nicki Minaj on Tuesday delivered an emotional appeal at a United Nations event, urging world leaders to take urgent action to protect Christians facing deadly violence in Nigeria.
The rapper thanked Ambassador Waltz for the invitation, calling it “an honor to stand on this stage… to shine a spotlight on the deadly threat faced by thousands of Christians in Nigeria.”
She also expressed gratitude to US President Donald Trump, saying, “I would like to thank President Trump for prioritising this issue and for his leadership on the global stage and calling for urgent action to defend Christians in Nigeria, to combat extremism, and to bring a stop to violence against those who simply want to exercise their natural right to freedom of religion or belief.”
Speaking “as a proud New Yorker,” Minaj praised the freedom to worship in the United States, noting, “No group should ever be persecuted for practising their religion like I recently stated on social media. And we don’t have to share the same beliefs in order for us to respect each other.”
She stressed that differences in belief should never threaten a person’s safety, adding, “We’re way beyond thinking or expecting or assuming for… the person sitting next to you to have the exact same beliefs. We’re beyond that. That’s ridiculous.”
Minaj said her global career had shown her how music connects people across cultures and faiths, stating, “Religious freedom means we all can sing our faith regardless of who we are, where we live, and what we believe.”
Turning to Nigeria, she warned that “Christians are being targeted, driven from their homes, and killed.” She said “churches have been burned, families have been torn apart, and entire communities live in fear constantly simply because of how they pray.”
She emphasised that the crisis reflects a wider global pattern, noting, “Sadly, this problem is not only a growing problem in Nigeria, but also in so many other countries across the world, and it demands urgent action.”
Minaj stressed that advocating for Nigeria’s Christian communities must not be framed as political division. “Protecting Christians in Nigeria is not about taking sides or dividing people. It is about uniting humanity,” she said, describing Nigeria as “a beautiful nation with deep faith traditions and lots of beautiful bars that I can’t wait to see.”
She added that attacks on any place of worship should concern the entire world, declaring, “When one’s church, mosque, or place of worship is destroyed, everyone’s heart should break just a little bit. And the foundation of the United Nations… should shake.”
Minaj hailed peacebuilders and faith leaders present at the UN event, saying she was inspired by those “who saw violence, saw rising intolerance, saw the threats clearly before us, and chose not to look the other way.”
She expressed hope that the discussions would encourage renewed cooperation, stating she wanted every person to “enjoy the right to believe, to worship, and to live in peace.”
In a message to her fanbase, she added, “Barbs, I know you’re somewhere listening. I love you so very much… You have been the ultimate light in my life and career for so long.”
Reaffirming her lifelong commitment to defending the persecuted, Minaj said, “This isn’t about taking sides. This is about standing up in the face of injustice… For the rest of my life, I will care if anyone anywhere is being persecuted for their beliefs.”
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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