Nicki Minaj urges global action on attacks against Nigerian Christians

American music superstar Nicki Minaj delivered an emotional appeal at the United Nations on Tuesday, calling on world leaders to confront what she described as the targeted killing and displacement of Christians in Nigeria.

Speaking at an event hosted by the U.S. Mission to the UN and titled “Combatting Religious Violence and the Killing of Christians in Nigeria,” Minaj joined Ambassador Mike Waltz, survivors of religious attacks and Nigerian faith leaders.

Her five-minute remarks, streamed live on the mission’s YouTube channel, were delivered without notes as she paused at times to fight back tears.

“Back in way too many places… in Nigeria, Christians are being targeted, driven from their homes and killed,” she said. “Churches have been burned, families have been torn apart, and entire communities live in fear constantly simply because of how they pray.”

Minaj stressed that the dangers extend beyond Nigeria. “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,” she said.

She added that calling for protection should not be misunderstood. “Protecting Christians in Nigeria is not about taking sides or dividing people. It is about uniting humanity.”

The rapper highlighted the emotional toll of attacks on places of worship. “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,” she said.

Nicki Minaj thanked President Donald Trump for elevating the issue and praised grassroots interfaith efforts.

“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,” she said.

She added, “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… Barbz.”

She also had a message for her Nigerian fanbase. “Nigeria is a beautiful nation with deep faith traditions — and lots of beautiful Barbz that I can’t wait to see,” she said, ending with a promise of a future performance.

Ambassador Waltz, who opened the event, described the violence as “genocide wearing the mask of chaos” and pointed to the Trump administration’s redesignation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern for severe violations of religious freedom.

The Nigerian government has rejected that characterisation.