Trinidadian-American rapper Nicki Minaj addressed a United Nations panel in New York to advocate for urgent international intervention regarding the reported persecution of Christians in Nigeria.
The appearance, coordinated by advisors to U.S. President Donald Trump, saw Minaj framing the protection of religious freedom as a universal moral obligation rather than a political stance.
During her speech, she highlighted the devastating toll of church burnings and community displacement, vowing that she and her global fanbase, the “Barbz,” would continue to use their influence to challenge these injustices.
The rapper’s high-profile involvement comes during a period of significant diplomatic friction, following President Trump’s public warnings of potential military action and the suspension of aid if the Nigerian government does not successfully curb the violence.
While U.S. Ambassador Michael Waltz praised Minaj for her courage in speaking out, Nigerian officials have strongly rejected claims of state-backed persecution, maintaining that the country’s security challenges are far more nuanced than a singular religious conflict.
Analysts have cautioned that while celebrity spotlights bring much-needed attention to victims, they also risk oversimplifying a crisis rooted in complex land disputes, banditry, and extremist violence that impacts both Christian and Muslim populations across the region.
