Nicki Minaj has stepped into a very different kind of spotlight, and her message has grabbed global attention. The superstar rapper used a United Nations platform to speak up for Nigerian Christians, saying the world can’t afford to stay quiet any longer. Her remarks came during a UN event hosted by U.S. Ambassador Mike Waltz, where she urged world leaders to recognise the suffering many believers face and to take real action.
Taking the podium on Tuesday, 18 November, she opened by thanking former President Donald Trump for what she described as his willingness to raise the issue on the global stage. She praised him for pushing for stronger measures to defend Christians in Nigeria and for calling out extremist violence that targets people simply trying to practise their faith. She made it clear that the basic right to follow one’s religion peacefully should be honoured everywhere.
Nicki didn’t hold back as she spoke about what she sees as increasing threats to religious freedom. She said that the idea of people being free to practise their beliefs regardless of who they are or where they live is something that should never be up for debate. Yet she warned that this freedom is under pressure in far too many parts of the world. Her tone was firm and urgent, aimed at capturing the attention of American officials and anyone listening.
The 42-year-old artist stressed that the concerns go well beyond Nigeria. She pointed out that many countries are seeing similar patterns and that ignoring these problems only deepens division. Her message wasn’t pitched as political or as taking one side over another. She framed it as a matter of protecting humanity as a whole, saying it should be about bringing people together rather than pushing them apart.
Nicki’s comments arrived just after Donald Trump signalled that Nigeria could be added to the list of Countries of Particular Concern, a designation used by the United States to flag severe violations of religious freedom. The timing meant her appearance carried even more weight, especially as conversations about Nigeria’s security challenges continue to intensify.
This isn’t the first time Nicki has waded into the topic publicly. Over recent months she has been vocal on X, where she has shared posts highlighting what she believes to be widespread religious persecution in the West African nation. Those posts sparked big conversations online and drew reactions from supporters in Nigeria and around the world. Her willingness to speak out repeatedly seems to have played a major role in getting her invited to the UN gathering in the first place.
Ambassador Waltz apparently took note of her online comments and reached out, offering her the chance to address the issue in front of diplomats and policymakers. It’s a rare move for a mainstream musician and one that shows how seriously she wants her message to be taken. For many watching, the moment felt unexpected but refreshingly candid.
Nicki wrapped up her remarks by urging leaders not to look away. She pushed for stronger international attention and said that silence only fuels the problem. Her appearance may have surprised some, but it certainly put a global spotlight on an issue she feels passionately about. Whether it sparks the action she hopes for remains to be seen, but she has made sure the conversation is impossible to ignore.
