Nicki Minaj to Address UN on Nigerian Christian Persecution

Globally renowned American rapper Onika Maraj-Petty, better known as Nicki Minaj, is scheduled to speak at a major United Nations event in New York this Tuesday, drawing international attention to the alleged jihadist violence directed against Christians in Nigeria. The event marks a significant instance of a major cultural figure leveraging their platform to address a complex geopolitical issue.

Minaj will be joined at the high-profile gathering by the US Ambassador to the United Nations, Michael Waltz, and Alex Bruesewit, an advisor to President Donald Trump and the convener of the event. News of the rapper’s participation was initially disclosed late Sunday by Time senior political correspondent, Eric Cortellessa, via a post on X, setting the stage for a highly watched UN forum.

Confirming the report and expressing appreciation for the star’s involvement, US envoy to the UN Michael Waltz publicly lauded Minaj, describing her as “not only arguably the greatest female recording artist, but also a principled individual who refuses to remain silent in the face of injustice.” He further acknowledged the importance of her involvement, stating, “I’m grateful she’s leveraging her massive platform to spotlight the atrocities against Christians in Nigeria.”

Responding to the ambassador’s commendation, Minaj expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to speak on such a weighty platform. “I am grateful to be entrusted with an opportunity of this magnitude. I do not take it for granted. It means more than you know,” the rapper wrote. She emphasized her personal commitment to using her influence for humanitarian purposes, underscoring her refusal to stand down in the face of injustice and stating that the influence God has given her has a “bigger purpose” than just music.

The upcoming UN event is the latest in a series of actions taken by the United States administration concerning the security situation in Nigeria. United States President Donald Trump recently alleged that the country is facing an ongoing “Christian genocide” and, based on these concerns, announced that his administration was designating Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern.” He subsequently called on members of the US Congress to take immediate legislative action in response to the situation. Minaj had previously publicly commended President Trump for condemning the reported killings of Christians in Nigeria, aligning her stance with the administration’s foreign policy focus on religious freedom in the country.

In contrast, the Nigerian government has consistently and vehemently denied claims of systemic religious violence within the country. Official statements from Abuja have maintained that the widespread insecurity facing the nation—which includes attacks, banditry, and communal conflicts—is criminal and economically motivated, not religiously motivated. Despite the Nigerian government’s firm rebuttal and insistence that the violence is non-sectarian, the US administration has remained keenly focused on the religious dimension of the insecurity. The Tuesday UN event, featuring a cultural figure of Minaj’s stature, represents America’s renewed, high-profile effort to maintain international scrutiny on the alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria.