Nicki Minaj Raises Concern Over Reported Attacks on Christians in Nigeria
United States–based Trinidadian rapper and singer, Onika Tanya Maraj-Petty, popularly known as Nicki Minaj, has raised concerns over the alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria, telling a United Nations (UN) gathering that believers in the country are facing deadly attacks.
Nicki Minaj, who addressed diplomats and faith leaders at the UN on Tuesday, said the situation demands urgent global attention.
She said thousands of Christians are living in fear as churches are burned, families are torn apart, and entire communities are forced from their homes because of their religious practices.
Nicki Minaj noted that her concern is rooted in the need to defend fundamental freedoms, emphasising that supporting Christians in Nigeria should not be seen as taking sides but as an effort to uphold humanity.
She also acknowledged United States President Donald Trump for prioritising the issue, saying his stance has helped draw attention to the crisis and the broader fight against extremism.
She reminded delegates that religious freedom allows people to worship without fear and argued that any attack on a place of worship, church, mosque, or otherwise, should worry the global community.
The rapper said partly, “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. 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. 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.
“And I want to be clear. Protecting Christians in Nigeria is not about taking sides or dividing people. It is about uniting humanity. Nigeria is a beautiful nation with deep faith traditions and lots of beautiful bars that I can’t wait to see.
“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, with its core mandate to ensure peace and security, should shake. I am joined here today by peace builders, by faith leaders, by those who saw violence, saw rising intolerance, saw the threats clearly before us, and chose not to look the other way.
“I am inspired by their work to build interfaith ties, to see the humanity across the lines which might divide us, and to fight for security and liberty for all those who pray. I look forward to our discussion today, and I hope it will encourage deepened solidarity for us to urgently work together to ensure every person can enjoy the right to believe, to worship, and to live in peace.”
She added, “This is about standing up in the face of injustice. 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, I will care if anyone anywhere is being persecuted for their beliefs.”