Nicki Minaj Demands UN Action for Nigerian Christians

Rapper Nicki Minaj arrived at the United Nations on Tuesday with a message she said she couldn’t ignore: Christians in Nigeria are being “hunted in their own villages” and the world isn’t paying enough attention.

Speaking at the U.S. Mission to the U.N., Minaj described the violence in blunt terms, saying churches have been torched and families torn apart “simply because of how they pray.” The event, organized by U.S. Ambassador Mike Waltz, focused on religiously motivated attacks in parts of Nigeria that have left thousands dead in recent years.

Waltz introduced the 41-year-old performer not as a music star but as “a witness,” adding that she has used her enormous online following to highlight an issue “most people don’t want to talk about.” Minaj has posted repeatedly about Nigeria since early November, urging her 28 million followers on X to read reports from aid groups and local clergy.

Her advocacy gained wider attention after former President Donald Trump—who has frequently commented on religious persecution abroad—warned in a November 2 Truth Social post that the United States could respond “fast and vicious” if Nigerian authorities failed to stop attacks on Christian communities. Minaj thanked Trump during her remarks, crediting him with pushing the issue onto the global stage.

This is an ongoing genocide in Nigeria that the world has decided to look away from

Many Nigerians feel unconcerned too, especially the evil politicians who think this is working to their advantage.
People are being killed, farmers, Catholic Priests and religious, children are… pic.twitter.com/HjEnuuiSux

— 𝐀𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐨 (@UgonnaMario) September 30, 2025

“This isn’t about taking sides,” she said. “It’s about refusing to look away when innocent people are being killed.”

Metro Voice on Wednesday interviewed a Nigerian pastor who stated the situation was “very grave” and Christians feared for their lives. He agreed to a lengthier interview on Thursday on condition that his identity is not revealed. Metro Voice will publish the story in the coming days.

Human-rights monitors have documented rising attacks in central and northern Nigeria, with analysts saying that the Islamic violence often mixes religion with long-running land disputes, organized crime, and government security failures. Knox Thames, a former State Department adviser on religious freedom, said Minaj’s appearance might draw attention where traditional advocacy has struggled. “The body count is too high to ignore,” he said in an interview.

Minaj, who was born in Trinidad and has spoken in the past about her own Christian upbringing, ended her remarks by addressing her fans — the “Barbz” — who were watching online. “I know you’re out there,” she said. “And I know you care about justice, too.”

–Dwight Widaman