US rapper Nicki Minaj on Tuesday paid a visit to the United Nations (UN) headquarters, where she expressed concern that Christians in Nigeria “are being targeted, driven from their homes, and killed”.
Minaj was hosted by Mike Waltz, the US ambassador to the UN, who invited her “for an in-depth discussion about what our administration is doing to protect Christians’ freedoms all over the world”.
During her visit, she applauded US President Donald Trump for “prioritising this issue” and promoting international efforts to “defend Christians in Nigeria, to combat extremism, and to bring a stop to violence against those who simply want to exercise their natural right to freedom of religion or belief”.
The rapper voiced sadness over the plight of Christian communities in certain parts of Nigeria, many of whom are being forced to abandon their homes. She stressed that no one should ever feel endangered because of their faith.
Minaj said her travels have shown her how significantly religion influences cultures globally, adding that faith is now “under attack in way too many places” like Nigeria.
“We don’t have to share the same beliefs in order for us to respect each other. That shouldn’t make one person feel less safe than anyone in any room,” she said.
She added: “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.
“Protecting Christians in Nigeria is not about taking sides or dividing people. It is about uniting humanity.”
Minaj further emphasized that any attack on a place of worship — whether a church or a mosque — should alarm the global community.
“When one’s church, mosque, or place of worship is destroyed, everyone’s heart should break just a little bit,” she said.
She concluded with optimism that the dialogue at the UN would strengthen global commitment.
“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 said.