Trinidadian-American rapper and singer Onika Tanya Maraj-Petty, widely known as Nicki Minaj, has urged the United Nations to act swiftly following reports of deadly attacks on Christian communities in Nigeria.
Speaking on Tuesday, she emphasized that her appeal was rooted in concern for human dignity and freedom of worship, not politics. She called attention to what she described as a growing crisis that demands global awareness and decisive action.
Below is a rewritten, human-friendly version of her message:
“Hello, everyone. I’m honestly very nervous, so please bear with me.
“Thank you, Ambassador Waltz, for inviting me. Standing here with you and so many respected voices is a privilege. We are gathered to highlight the danger faced by countless Christians in Nigeria. I’m grateful to President Trump for bringing attention to this issue and pushing for stronger international action to protect people who simply want to worship in peace.
“As a New Yorker, I’m thankful to live in a place where people can honour God freely, regardless of their background or beliefs. No one should ever be punished or harmed for practising their faith. Like I said recently online — we don’t need to share the same beliefs in order to respect one another.
“We’re long past the idea that everyone around us must think exactly the same way. That’s unrealistic — and honestly, it’s absurd.
“But differences in belief should never place one person in danger while another feels safe. My career has taken me to so many places around the world, and I’ve seen how music brings people together across language, culture, and faith. A song can lift a spirit, no matter who you are.
“True religious freedom means we’re all allowed to express our devotion, no matter where we come from. But today, faith is under attack in far too many places. In Nigeria, Christians are being forced from their homes, threatened, and killed.
“Churches have been destroyed, families separated, and entire communities now live in fear simply because of how they pray. And Nigeria is not the only country facing this kind of pain. This is happening in many parts of the world, and we cannot ignore it.
“I want to be clear: calling for protection is not about dividing people. It’s about defending our shared humanity. Nigeria is a beautiful country with deep spiritual traditions — and honestly, some amazing rhythms I can’t wait to experience in person.
“When a church, a mosque, or any place of worship is attacked, it should trouble all of us. These acts should shake the very foundation of the United Nations, an institution meant to uphold peace and security.
“Today, I’m standing with peace advocates, religious leaders, and people who refused to look away when they saw rising intolerance. Their commitment inspires me — they’re working to strengthen unity, promote understanding, and defend the right of every person to live and worship freely.
“I hope our conversation today pushes us closer to real action. Everyone deserves the freedom to believe, to pray, and to live without fear. And to my Barbs — I know you’re listening. I love you deeply. You have been such a light in my life for so many years.
“And let me repeat this clearly: this is not about choosing sides. This is about standing up for people facing injustice. It’s about everything I’ve stood for throughout my journey. I will always care when anyone is targeted simply for their beliefs.
“Thank you.”
