In a groundbreaking moment for both music and global diplomacy, American rapper Onika Maraj-Petty, known worldwide as Nicki Minaj, has become the first female rapper ever to address a United Nations forum. The historic event took place on Tuesday during a gathering organized by the United States Mission to the United Nations in New York.
Historic UN Address Highlights Nigeria Crisis
During her powerful speech, which was broadcast live on the official YouTube channel of the U.S. Mission to the UN, Minaj brought international attention to the growing crisis facing Christian communities in Nigeria. The rapper delivered sobering details about the targeted violence that has plagued numerous regions of the country.
"Back in way too many places... in Nigeria, Christians are being targeted, driven from their homes and killed," Minaj told the assembled delegates. "Churches have been burned, families have been torn apart, and entire communities live in fear constantly simply because of how they pray."
Minaj emphasized that this humanitarian crisis extends beyond Nigeria's borders, describing it as a global issue requiring immediate intervention. "Sadly, this problem is not only a growing problem in Nigeria but also in so many other countries across the world — and it demands urgent action," she stated.
Call for Unity, Not Division
The internationally acclaimed artist took care to clarify that her advocacy for protecting Christians should not be interpreted as taking sides in religious conflicts. Instead, she framed it as a matter of universal human rights that should unite rather than divide people.
"Protecting Christians in Nigeria is not about taking sides or dividing people. It is about uniting humanity," Minaj explained. She also expressed affection for her Nigerian fans, noting that "Nigeria is a beautiful nation with deep faith traditions and lots of beautiful Barbz that I can’t wait to see."
Addressing the destruction of places of worship regardless of religion, Minaj delivered an emotional appeal: "When one’s church, mosque, or place of worship is destroyed, everyone’s heart should break just a little bit. And the foundation of the United Nations, with its core mandate to ensure peace and security, should shake."
Global Context and Nigerian Reality
Minaj's UN appearance came at a critical moment in international relations concerning Nigeria. Her speech followed recent statements from United States President Donald Trump, who had threatened military action against terrorists in Nigeria if the killing of Christians continued. The Trump administration had recently designated Nigeria among its "Countries of Particular Concern" regarding religious freedom.
The urgency of Minaj's message was underscored by simultaneous tragic events unfolding in Nigeria. On the same Tuesday she spoke at the UN, Nigerian police confirmed that two worshippers were killed during an attack on a church in Kwara State. In a separate incident in Kebbi State, 25 schoolgirls were abducted, with two later managing to escape. A teacher and security guard, both identified as Muslim, were also killed during the abduction.
United States Congressman Mike Waltz, who shared the platform with Minaj, praised the rapper for "leveraging her massive platform to spotlight the atrocities against Christians in Nigeria."
Meanwhile, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu expressed his distress over the escalating violence. In a social media post on Wednesday, Tinubu stated that the abduction of the schoolgirls in Kebbi State and the killing of Brigadier General Musa Uba and other soldiers in Borno State had left him "depressed."
"Their families, and the families of the kidnapped schoolgirls, are in my prayers," Tinubu wrote on X. "As the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, I am depressed with the tragic death of our soldiers and officers on active duty. May God comfort the families of Brigadier General Musa Uba and other fallen heroes."
Throughout her address, Minaj acknowledged and praised interfaith and peace advocates present at the event, expressing inspiration from "their work to build interfaith ties, to see the humanity across the lines which might divide us, and to fight for security and liberty for all those who pray."
She concluded with a hopeful message, urging "deepened solidarity for us to urgently work together to ensure every person can enjoy the right to believe, to worship, and to live in peace... Barbz."
