Nicki Minaj ignited an international debate Monday after delivering a five-minute address at the United Nations that called attention to the persecution of Christians in Nigeria. The rap star spoke at an event hosted by the U.S. Mission to the UN and led by Ambassador Michael Waltz, transforming a routine policy forum into a global flashpoint.
Minaj stood between American and UN flags and described the crisis as “a moral emergency.” She called the violence “a wound on the soul of humanity,” framing the issue as a universal human-rights struggle rather than a regional conflict. Her measured but forceful tone marked a rare moment in which a celebrity voice shifted diplomatic conversation.
A single remark fueled immediate controversy. Minaj thanked President Donald Trump for “prioritizing this issue,” prompting a wave of polarized reactions across social media.
Supporters praised her willingness to speak boldly. Critics accused her of blurring humanitarian advocacy with partisan endorsement. Minaj pushed back, saying she was “not taking sides” and that her goal was “standing up in the face of injustice.”
Nicki Minaj Thanks President Trump While Addressing The Attacks On Nigerian Christians In United Nations Speech
She detailed attacks on Nigerian Christians, citing burned churches, displaced families, and communities living in fear. She added that religious violence “is not only a growing problem in Nigeria but also in many other countries across the world.”
Her comments echoed data from Open Doors, which ranks Nigeria sixth on the 2025 World Watch List and attributes more than 4,100 faith-related killings in 2024 to extremist groups such as Boko Haram and ISWAP. Minaj also acknowledged that Muslims and other faith communities face violence in the same regions.
The rapper emphasized that her message centered on religious freedom for all. “No group should ever be persecuted for practicing their religion,” she said.
She connected the issue to her art, noting that “music and faith speak in the language of the soul.” Her remarks drew applause from several advocacy groups.
Still, her appearance sparked criticism from those who said she overlooked other global conflicts, including Gaza and Sudan. Others defended her, arguing that spotlighting one crisis does not diminish others.
Minaj closed with a call for unity, telling the audience, “This isn’t about sides. It’s about standing up for what’s right.”
Her speech, which quickly surpassed one million views online, placed her at the center of a global discussion about faith, freedom, and the role of artists in humanitarian advocacy.
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