What Nicki Minaj said about ‘killing of Christians’ in Nigeria at the UN

…Christians targeted, driven from homes, killed in Nigeria, Nicki Minaj claims

By Ayorinde Oluokun with agency reports

Famous rapper, Niicki Minaj on Tuesday alleged that Christians are being persecuted in Nigeria at an event held by the US embassy to the United Nations in New York.

“In Nigeria, Christians are being targeted, driven from their homes and killed,” Minaj told the audience at the event.

“Churches have been burned. Families have been torn apart, and entire communities live in fear constantly, simply because of how they pray,” musician said while standing alongside the US ambassador to the UN, Mike Waltz.

“Sadly, this problem is not only a growing problem in Nigeria, but also in so many other countries around the world,” she said.

The U.S. rapper insisted that no group should ever be persecuted for practicing their religion” adding, “we don’t have to share the same beliefs in order for us to respect each other.

She also said practicing a different religion “should not make anybody feel less safe”.

“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,” she said.

Referring to the U.S., Minaj expressed gratitude that “we live in a country where she can freely and safely worship God regardless of one’s creed, religion or politics”.

“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.”

The rapper called for political action in Nigeria.

She acknowledged “faith leaders, peace builders, those who saw violence, saw rising intolerance, saw the threats clearly before others and chose not to look the other way”.

“I am inspired by their works to build inter-faith ties, to see that humanity across the line which might divide us and to fight for security and liberty for all those who pray”.

Minaj therefore commended and threw her support for claims by US President Donald Trump that Christians are being persecuted in Nigeria.”

She commended Trump for “for prioritizing this issue and for his leadership.”

The rapper noted that Trump called for “urgent action to defend Christians in Nigeria” and to “combat extremism,” while also vowing to stand up “in the face of injustice” for anyone who’s being persecuted for their religious beliefs.

Minaj was said she was “very nervous” to speak before the panel, vowed to keep standing up “in the face of injustice” for anyone anywhere who is being persecuted for their beliefs.

However, she said she wanted to make clear that protecting Christians in Nigeria wasn’t about taking sides or dividing people. “It is about uniting people,” she said, calling Nigeria “a beautiful nation with deep faith traditions” that she can’t wait to see.

“Religious freedom means we all sing our faith regardless of who we are, where we live and what we believe,” Minaj said.

Waltz had introduced the rapper, saying, “She steps on to this world stage not as a celebrity but as a witness … to spotlight Nigeria’s persecuted church” to her millions of social media followers.

US Probe Looms

Recall that Minaj had in recent posts on social media decried the alleged killings of Christians in Nigeria.

The Trinidad born rapper She has also informed that she will take the issue to the UN.

This was after a social media post by Trump threatening military action of alleged existential threats to Christians in Nigeria by Islamist terrorists.

“No group should ever be persecuted for practicing their religion,” Minaji said in response to the post.

Pope Leo XIV had also in a post on social media on Sunday listed Nigeria among countries where Christians are suffering discrimination and persecution

Also, the US congress will on Thursday hear allegations of Christian persecution in Nigeria .

This followed President Donald Trump’s re-designation of the African nation as a country of particular concern (CPC).

The hearing will be chaired by Chris Smith, chairman of the house foreign affairs Africa sub-committee, one of the lawmakers alleging persecution of Christians in Nigeria.

‘No Christian Genocide in Nigeria’

However, the Nigerian Government (FG) has repeatedly denied claims of a “Christian persecution” or “genocide” in the country.

Rather, the government attributed the killings and violence to general insecurity, terrorism, and banditry that affects both Christians and Muslims.

“Portraying Nigeria’s security challenges as a targeted campaign against a single religious group is a gross misrepresentation of reality. While Nigeria, like many countries, has faced security challenges, including acts of terrorism perpetrated by criminals, couching the situation as a deliberate, systematic attack on Christians is inaccurate and harmful. It oversimplifies a complex, multifaceted security environment and plays into the hands of terrorists and criminals who seek to divide Nigerians along religious or ethnic lines,” Mohammed Idris, Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation said at a recent press conference.

The government also reiterated its ts commitment to completely degrading terrorist groups and securing the lives and property of all citizens. The government said this is already yielding yielding results.

“Between May 2023 and February 2025 alone, over 13,543 terrorists and criminals were neutralized and nearly 10,000 hostages rescued in multiple military operations across the country,” the Nigerian government said.

*Updated