Former Nigerian senator Shehu Sani has issued a strong warning to international pop star Nicki Minaj following her controversial statements about Nigeria's security situation at a United Nations event.
UN Address Sparks Controversy
The confrontation began when Minaj addressed a UN program in New York as a guest of the United States on November 19, 2025. During her appearance, the rapper repeated claims made by US President Donald Trump that Christians in Nigeria face systematic attacks and targeted violence.
Minaj stated that Christians were being "targeted" and claimed that "churches have been burned" and "families have been torn apart… simply because of how they pray." She appeared alongside United States ambassador to the UN, Mike Waltz, during her presentation.
Sani's Strong Rejection
Shehu Sani, who represented Kaduna Central in the eighth National Assembly, immediately rejected Minaj's statements. He accused the international artist of presenting what he described as an unfounded narrative about Nigeria without any genuine knowledge of the country or its conflict zones.
The former senator emphasized that Minaj had never visited communities affected by violence in Nigeria and had no record of humanitarian engagement within the country. He compared her lack of involvement to Western celebrities who had previously supported legitimate campaigns on hunger, education, and women's rights in Nigeria.
Political Motivations Questioned
Sani described Minaj's intervention as opportunistic and driven by political considerations rather than genuine concern. He suggested that her remarks were primarily aimed at pleasing President Donald Trump, whose views and policies have been controversial regarding immigration matters.
"Minaj should focus on her country of birth, Trinidad and Tobago, where her voice and attention is needed to address the country's social issues," Sani stated during his response to the controversy.
The former lawmaker further insisted that the UN should not have provided a platform for what he believes was an inaccurate portrayal of events in Nigeria. He also dismissed Minaj's reputation as suitable for young Africans to emulate given what he characterized as her uninformed commentary.
Meanwhile, the United States Congress is moving forward with a detailed investigation into claims of targeted attacks on Christians in Nigeria. A public hearing convened by the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa has been scheduled for November 20, 2025, as lawmakers review President Trump's redesignation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern.
