Nicki Minaj used her appearance at a United Nations event in New York to draw attention to what she described as the alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria, adding her voice to a growing list of public figures and U.S. officials raising concerns about religious violence. The event, convened by U.S. Ambassador Mike Waltz, brought together policymakers, activists and entertainers, but it was Minaj’s remarks that captured global attention due to her influence and the sharp diplomatic reactions that followed.

In her speech, Minaj thanked U.S. President Donald Trump for prioritizing the issue and for calling for urgent action to protect religious minorities abroad. Speaking to a room of diplomats and civil society representatives, she argued that freedom of belief should be treated as a universal right and that protecting Christians from targeted violence should not be seen as a divisive or partisan position. She emphasized that religious freedom allows communities to speak, worship and gather without fear, a theme she has referenced in recent months on her social media platforms.

Minaj also framed the issue in human terms. She noted that her career has taken her around the world and that she has seen people of many cultures respond emotionally to music regardless of faith. That shared humanity, she argued, makes the reported violence against Christian communities in Nigeria especially urgent. She said that churches had been burned, families displaced and believers attacked simply because of their faith. The rapper urged the U.S. government to treat the situation as a priority, insisting that rising threats to religious freedom demand coordinated international action.

Her comments were delivered shortly after President Trump signaled that Nigeria could be added to the list of Countries of Particular Concern, a U.S. designation applied to states accused of severe violations of religious liberty. Trump also issued a warning that the United States would halt aid to Nigeria and could take additional measures if Christian communities continued to face violence. His statement described the situation as unacceptable and called for an end to extremist attacks.

Nigerian officials responded quickly to Trump’s remarks earlier this month and repeated those positions following Minaj’s speech. Presidential spokesman Daniel Bwala told the Associated Press that the United States cannot conduct military operations in Nigeria over the claims of religious persecution. He said Trump often uses forceful rhetoric to push governments into dialogue but insisted that Nigeria’s sovereignty remains intact. Bwala argued that the wording should be understood as diplomatic pressure rather than a literal threat.

Nigeria’s Information Minister Idris Muhammed also addressed the issue in comments to the Associated Press in October. He said there is no systematic or intentional campaign by the Nigerian government or any significant group to target Christians in the country. Muhammed stressed that Nigeria faces violence affecting multiple communities, including Muslims, and argued that framing the unrest as a coordinated anti-Christian effort misrepresents a complex security environment shaped by banditry, insurgency and local conflicts.

The contrast between Minaj’s message and Nigeria’s official position highlights a deeper divide in how the issue is discussed internationally. Reports of church attacks, community displacement and religiously motivated violence have circulated for years, but assessments vary widely between governments, rights groups and local authorities. Some international organizations describe the pattern as persecution, while Nigerian officials emphasize criminality, regional instability and socioeconomic pressures as the primary drivers of attacks.

Minaj’s speech brought this debate into a cultural arena rarely associated with diplomatic disputes. Celebrity activism often influences public opinion, but it rarely intersects so directly with foreign policy. Her remarks at a U.N. venue amplified a narrative already circulating in parts of the U.S., particularly among lawmakers and advocacy organizations that focus on global religious freedom. For supporters of stronger U.S. engagement, her involvement adds visibility to an issue they argue is overlooked. For Nigerian officials, it risks simplifying a complex security challenge and shaping global perceptions in ways they believe are inaccurate.

The timing of Minaj’s appearance is also notable. The issue of religious violence in Nigeria has become a focal point for U.S. policymakers, in part due to ongoing political debate about how the United States should respond to international religious freedom concerns. The possibility of Nigeria being placed on the Countries of Particular Concern list has implications for bilateral relations, aid agreements and diplomatic engagement. Minaj’s involvement adds a cultural dimension to an already sensitive geopolitical conversation.

Her remarks also carry broader implications for how entertainers engage with global human rights issues. Minaj made clear that she does not view her stance as political, insisting that protecting vulnerable communities is about humanity rather than ideology. She said her advocacy is consistent with the values she has supported throughout her career, and she framed her comments not as an attack on any group but as a call for unity and justice.

Reactions online were swift and polarized. Supporters praised her for using her platform to highlight suffering and for urging world leaders to take action. Critics questioned whether the situation in Nigeria is being accurately portrayed and argued that celebrity endorsements can oversimplify the underlying causes of violence. Others pointed out that Nigeria faces multiple security threats that affect both Christians and Muslims, and warned against framing all violence through a religious lens.

The diplomatic consequences of Minaj’s participation are still unfolding. U.S. officials continue to debate how to classify the situation in Nigeria, while Nigerian authorities maintain that foreign pressure should not mischaracterize the nature of the country’s internal security challenges. What is clear is that Minaj’s comments elevated the discussion to a global stage and ensured that the issue will remain part of the international conversation in the months ahead.

For many advocates, the value of her speech lies in forcing renewed attention on communities that feel vulnerable and unheard. For Nigerian officials, the priority remains correcting what they view as misperceptions while defending the country’s sovereignty. The gap between these perspectives reflects a wider tension that often emerges when global advocacy intersects with national politics.

Nicki Minaj concluded her speech by calling on governments to act with urgency and compassion. She emphasized that unity, tolerance and respect for human dignity should guide the international response to religious violence. Her remarks did not resolve the underlying disputes, but they ensured that a debate once confined to diplomatic circles is now receiving broader global attention.

Watch Nicki Minaj’s full speech below.