American rap star Onika Maraj-Petty, widely known as Nicki Minaj, has become the first female rapper to speak at a United Nations forum.
Minaj delivered her remarks on Tuesday at an event hosted in New York by the United States Mission to the United Nations.
Her speech, broadcast on the Mission’s official YouTube channel, focused on rising attacks against Christians in Nigeria and in other parts of the world.
In her address, Minaj said:
“In far too many places, including Nigeria, Christians are being targeted, driven from their homes and killed. Churches have been burned, families torn apart, and entire communities forced to live in constant fear simply because of how they pray.”
Calling for global attention, she emphasized that the situation demands urgent action, stressing that the issue is not confined to Nigeria alone but spans multiple countries.
Minaj clarified that her advocacy should not be seen as divisive:
“Protecting Christians in Nigeria is not about taking sides. It is about uniting humanity. Nigeria is a beautiful nation with rich faith traditions, and many beautiful Barbz that I can’t wait to see.”
Addressing the repeated attacks on places of worship, she added:
“When a church, mosque, or any place of worship is destroyed, everyone’s heart should break a little. And the very foundation of the United Nations, built to uphold global peace and security, should shake.”
Minaj also applauded the interfaith and peacebuilding advocates present at the event, noting that their work inspires her hope for stronger solidarity in promoting religious freedom worldwide.
Her speech coincided with recent comments by U.S President Donald Trump, who had warned of possible military action against terrorist groups in Nigeria if the attacks on Christians continued.
The U.S. recently listed Nigeria among countries of particular concern.
Earlier that same Tuesday, Nigerian police confirmed an attack on a church in Kwara State that left two worshippers dead.
Meanwhile, 25 schoolgirls were abducted in Kebbi State, though two later escaped. A Muslim teacher and a security guard were also killed in the incident.
Also speaking at the UN forum, U.S. Congressman Mike Waltz commended Minaj for using her global influence to highlight the ongoing violence against Christians in Nigeria.
In a related development, President Bola Tinubu said on Wednesday that the abduction of the Kebbi schoolgirls and the killing of Brigadier General Musa Uba and other soldiers in Borno State had left him deeply saddened.
“Their families, and the families of the kidnapped schoolgirls, are in my prayers,” Tinubu said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
“As Commander-in-Chief, I am depressed by the tragic loss of our soldiers on active duty. May God comfort the families of Brigadier General Musa Uba and other fallen heroes.”
