Nicki Minaj is stepping into global political conversation once again — this time aligning herself with former president Donald Trump on an issue she says demands urgent attention: the persecution of religious minorities in Nigeria.
The rap superstar appeared Tuesday at an event hosted by the U.S. Embassy to the United Nations, where she publicly thanked Trump “for prioritizing this issue and for his leadership.” Minaj has been using her massive platform to highlight the killing of Christians in Nigeria, echoing concerns voiced repeatedly by Trump and his supporters.
Standing beside U.S. ambassador Mike Waltz, Minaj described a devastating reality for believers across the region.
“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 simply because of how they pray,” she said.
Minaj added that her stance is not political, but humanitarian.
“Protecting Christians in Nigeria is not about taking sides or dividing people. It is about uniting humanity.”
Nicki Minaj Echoes Trump’s Claims About Nigeria’s Response
Minaj’s comments follow her recent endorsement of a Trump social media post alleging that Nigeria’s government has failed to prevent mass violence against Christians. Trump has repeatedly accused Nigerian officials of tolerating attacks by “Islamist terrorists” — a narrative embraced by parts of the U.S. Christian conservative community but rejected by Nigeria’s government, which insists terrorism in the region affects all faiths.
Waltz reinforced Minaj’s remarks, acknowledging that while Nigerian leaders claim extremism strikes indiscriminately, “there is a body of evidence that paints a very grim picture of disproportionate suffering among Christians.”
A Complex Relationship With Faith and Public Controversy
Minaj — a prominent feminist and a pop culture force known for bold lyrics and boundary-pushing visuals — has not always aligned with religious conservatives. Her 2012 Grammy performance, which included a mock exorcism and a man dressed as the Pope, drew heavy backlash from the Catholic Church and Christian organizations at the time.
Despite this history, she says she feels a “deep sense of gratitude” for the ability to freely practice her Christianity in the United States, and has urged her fanbase to pray for those who cannot.
Nigeria Pushes Back
The Nigerian government has consistently denied claims of targeted religious persecution, stating that extremist violence impacts Muslims and Christians alike. Officials argue that U.S. narratives framing the issue solely through the lens of Christian suffering are misleading.
Still, Minaj’s comments have already sparked intense debate online. Supporters praised her for using her platform to draw attention to global human rights issues, while critics accused her of aligning with political agendas that oversimplify a complex crisis.
