American rapper Nicki Minaj finds herself at the center of a heated Nigerian social media storm following her recent speech at the United Nations about the alleged persecution of Christians in the country. The controversy has divided Nigerian netizens, with some accusing the celebrity of chasing clout while others defend her longstanding support for Nigeria.
The UN Speech That Sparked Controversy
Nicki Minaj's address at the United Nations about reported Christian persecution in Nigeria has triggered widespread debate across Nigerian social media platforms. The speech, delivered in November 2025, immediately went viral and prompted mixed reactions from Nigerians and international observers alike.
Nigerian journalist Reuben Abati led the criticism, accusing Minaj of simply "chasing clout" and arguing that international celebrities should not dictate Nigeria's narrative on global platforms. Abati suggested that Nigeria should counter by having Afrobeats star Tiwa Savage appear on national television to defend the country's image.
Political Allegations and Historical Context
Former senator Shehu Sani added another dimension to the controversy by cautioning the American rapper against dragging Nigeria into what he described as her attempt to align with United States President Donald Trump. This political reading of Minaj's motives further complicated the public discourse surrounding her UN appearance.
However, in defense of the rapper, Nigerian netizens have unearthed past exchanges that demonstrate Minaj's historical support for Nigerian causes. One particularly significant tweet from 2020 shows the artist standing with Nigerians during the pivotal EndSARS protests against police brutality.
Evidence of Genuine Support Emerges
During the October 2020 EndSARS protests, Nicki Minaj used her X platform to express solidarity with Nigerian youth, tweeting: "Standing with and praying for the brave young people of Nigeria who are on the front lines of this senseless violence. Your voice is being heard. #EndSARS."
This historical support has become central to the current debate, with many Nigerians pointing to it as evidence that Minaj's concern for Nigeria predates the current controversy. Social media reactions compiled by Legit.ng reveal strong support for this perspective.
OurFavOnlineDoc commented: "Nicki Minaj has consistently spoken up and defended the weak and the defenceless in Nigeria for many years. Her activism and support for Nigeria didn't start today. Here's an example from EndSARS five years ago. Again BEFORE many Nigerian musicians and celebrities joined the bandwagon."
Another user, olaAdeola, added: "For those of you calling Nicki an emergency advocate & saying she's just chasing clout, this was her standing with Nigerians during #EndSARS. Your useless celebrities are waiting for mobilization before they say or do anything."
International Media Enters the Fray
The controversy has attracted attention beyond Nigerian borders, with American magazine Rolling Stone publishing a report criticizing Minaj's UN speech. The magazine accused the rapper of spreading misleading information about Nigeria without supporting data.
This international media intervention triggered strong responses from many Nigerians who lashed out at the publication, further complicating the narrative around Minaj's motives and the accuracy of her claims about the situation in Nigeria.
User chikwado_jasper highlighted the religious dimension of the debate, reacting: "This Nicki Minaj in 2020 during the Endsars. But most of the Nigerian Muslims supporting their Islamic terrorist brothers that are committing genocide against the Nigerian Christians claims that she is speaking because she is a Christian."
Divided Public Opinion
The Nigerian public remains sharply divided on the matter. While some appreciate Minaj's willingness to speak about sensitive issues affecting Nigeria, others question her timing and motives. User iamchrisrocksz captured the confusion many feel: "Nicki made a post doing endsars and we love it. Why hate her now? Truth is bitter."
Another user, kesmary, defended the consistency of Minaj's stance: "It didn't begin today. When she did this during the End Sars, I didn't see post saying she was a puppet. Now, she's speaking out against the genocidal acts on Nigerian Christians and conspiracy theories are flying all around. Thanks @NICKIMINAJ for lending us your voice."
The resurfacing of Minaj's 2020 EndSARS support has added crucial context to the current debate, suggesting that her engagement with Nigerian issues spans several years rather than being a recent development tied to her UN appearance or alleged political alignments.
