Nicki Minaj Thanks Trump, Says ‘Faith Is Under Attack’ in U.N. Speech About Religious Violence in Nigeria

Nicki Minaj delivered a passionate speech about religious violence in Nigeria at the United Nations.

On Tuesday, Nov. 18, the “Barbie World” rapper appeared at the main headquarters of the U.N. in New York City, where she spoke about President Donald Trump’s call to combat the killing of Christians in Nigeria. The special event was moderated by Fox News’ Harris Faulkner.

Minaj, 42, began her speech by saying, “I would like to thank President Trump for prioritizing this issue and his leadership on the global stage in calling for urgent action to defend Christians in Nigeria and to combat extremism and to bring a stop to violence against those who simply want to express their natural right to freedom of religion or belief.”

“Music has taken me around the globe. I have seen how people, no matter their language, culture or religion, come alive when they hear a song that touches their soul,” she continued. “Religious freedom means we all can sing our faith regardless of who we are, where we live, and what we believe. But today, faith is under attack in way too many places.”

The rapper called for political action in Nigeria, where “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.”

During her remarks, Minaj stated multiple times that her decision to speak was “not about taking sides or dividing people. It is about uniting humanity.”

“It’s about what I’ve always stood for my entire career, and I will continue to stand for that for the rest of my life,” she concluded.

After it was announced on Sunday, Nov. 16, that Minaj would be speaking at the U.N., Ambassador Michael Waltz praised her on X writing, “.@NICKIMINAJ is not only arguably the greatest female recording artist, but also a principled individual who refuses to remain silent in the face of injustice.”

He continued, “I’m grateful she’s leveraging her massive platform to spotlight the atrocities against Christians in Nigeria, and I look forward to standing with her as we discuss the steps the President and his administration are taking to end the persecution of our Christian brothers and sisters.”

Minaj then responded in a quote tweet the same day on X writing, “Ambassador, I am so grateful to be entrusted with an opportunity of this magnitude. I do not take it for granted. It means more than you know.”

She added, “The Barbz & I will never stand down in the face of injustice. We’ve been given our influence by God. There must be a bigger purpose.”

Minaj’s speech comes on the heels of Trump revealing that he’s preparing for military action in Nigeria, where he claimed there’s been an “existential threat” against Christianity, per the Associated Press.

However, residents and experts have claimed that while Christians have been persecuted in some attacks, the majority of victims are Muslims, according to the outlet.

In November 2024, gunmen on motorcycles shot at random and seized at least 62 people, including the pastor and children, in Ligari, Nigeria, per the AP.

For a month, the hostages claim they were held while other villagers sold farmland, livestock and motorcycles to help procure the ransom needed for their release, according to the publication.

Four of the villagers who were eventually freed told the Associated Press that not only were the hostages starved, they were told to renounce Christianity. During their time held captive, two of their fellow hostages were killed, the AP reported.

Since then, the attacks have continued. On Monday, Nov. 17, the AP reported that 25 schoolgirls were abducted and at least one boarding school employee was killed in Kebbi, Nigeria.

According to the AP, Trump previously called Nigeria a “country of particular concern” and instructed defense officials to begin preparing for military action.

As of Monday, Nov. 17, the State Department told the AP that the U.S. “stands ready, willing, and able to act” in Nigeria.