In an unexpected convergence of entertainment and diplomacy, international rap superstar Nicki Minaj is scheduled to speak on Tuesday alongside U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz at an event focusing on alleged religious persecution of Christians in Nigeria.
The event, first reported by Time magazine correspondent Eric Cordellessa, was arranged by Trump advisor Alex Bruesewitz, who will also participate. The collaboration has drawn significant attention given Minaj’s global platform and her entry into a complex geopolitical issue.
Ambassador Waltz praised the Grammy-nominated artist as “arguably the greatest female recording artist” and a “principled individual” who refuses to “remain silent in the face of injustice”, expressing gratitude for her willingness to use her substantial social media following to highlight the situation.
Minaj responded with equal conviction on the social media platform X, stating her commitment to the cause. She expressed gratitude for the opportunity and emphasized that she and her fanbase, known as the Barbz, “will never stand down in the face of injustice,” adding that their influence must serve “a bigger purpose”.
This engagement follows Minaj’s earlier response in November to President Trump’s statements that Christianity faces an “existential threat” in Nigeria, where she expressed concern for persecuted religious groups worldwide.
Nigeria’s population of approximately 220 million is roughly evenly divided between Christians and Muslims. The Trump administration has taken an aggressive stance on the issue, with the president threatening to designate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” and warning of potential military intervention.
However, the narrative of systematic Christian persecution has faced scrutiny. The Associated Press found that location, rather than religion, plays a heavier factor in determining murder victims in Nigeria. Nigerian Information Minister Idris Muhammed told the AP there is no systematic, intentional targeting of any particular religion by the government or serious groups.
A Nigerian presidential spokesman characterized Trump’s threats as “his style of going forceful in order to force a sit-down and have a conversation,” noting that the U.S. cannot unilaterally carry out military operations in Nigeria.
The event on Tuesday will likely draw significant attention both for its high-profile participants and the contentious claims at its center, raising questions about the intersection of celebrity activism, diplomatic relations, and the complexities of religious violence in one of Africa’s most populous nations.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Rapper Nicki Minaj will speak Tuesday with U.S. Ambassador Mike Waltz about alleged Christian persecution in Nigeria—a claim the Trump administration has used to threaten military action.
However, Nigerian officials and independent reporting by The Associated Press dispute these allegations, finding that location, not religion, is the primary factor in violence, and that there is no systematic targeting of Christians.
This event represents a high-profile celebrity entering a complex and contested geopolitical issue where the facts on the ground differ significantly from the administration’s narrative.
