Nicki Minaj spoke on Tuesday at a special event in New York aimed at highlighting concerns over what some observers describe as the persecution of Christians in Nigeria. The gathering sought to bring international attention to ongoing violence in the West African nation and to spark broader discussion about religious freedom and security.

The rapper was introduced by Mike Waltz, President Donald Trump’s ambassador to the United Nations. Opening her remarks, Minaj admitted she was feeling nervous and expressed gratitude to both Waltz and Trump for the invitation. She said it was “an honor” to take part in the event and to help “shine a spotlight on the deadly threats faced by thousands of Christians in Nigeria,” emphasizing that the issue deserved global awareness.

“I stand here as a proud New Yorker with a deep sense of gratitude that we live in a country where we can freely and safely worship God regardless of one’s creed, background, or politics,” Minaj said. “No group should ever be persecuted for practicing their religion, as I’ve stated before on social media. And we don’t have to share the same beliefs in order to respect each other and live in peace.”

Her remarks came amid heightened tensions following recent comments by President Trump, who said he was considering military action in Nigeria and potentially cutting off US aid. Trump claimed the Nigerian government had failed to protect Christians from what he described as a “mass slaughter” carried out by Islamist insurgents. His statements sparked alarm and debate both in Nigeria and internationally.

Several experts have cautioned that the situation in Nigeria is more complex than it has sometimes been portrayed. They note that violence by extremist groups has affected both Christians and Muslims, and that religious identity often intersects with ethnic, political, and economic factors. These analysts argue that civilian populations across religious lines have suffered greatly from years of instability and insurgency.

The Nigerian government strongly rejected Trump’s comments. “We are shocked that President Trump is mulling an invasion of our country,” presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga told CNN, after Trump instructed the Pentagon to prepare for possible military action. Nigerian officials have insisted that the government is actively working to address security challenges and protect all citizens.

Calling Nigeria “a beautiful nation with deep faith traditions,” Minaj said during her address that some of her most dedicated fans, known collectively as the Barbz, live in the country. She described feeling a personal connection to Nigeria through her global fanbase and stressed the importance of standing with communities affected by violence.

“I am joined here today by peace builders, faith leaders, and people who witnessed violence and intolerance firsthand,” Minaj said. “They saw the threats clearly before us and chose not to look the other way.” She added that she was inspired by their efforts to build interfaith understanding, recognize shared humanity across religious divides, and fight for security and freedom for all who wish to pray without fear.

Waltz later explained how Minaj came to speak at the US mission in New York during an interview on Fox News. He said she was invited after publicly supporting a Truth Social post by Trump related to the Nigeria issue. “To our astonishment, she accepted,” Waltz said, adding that Minaj’s involvement could help reach audiences who might not typically follow foreign policy or religious freedom issues.

Earlier in the week, Waltz praised the rapper in a post, calling her “not only arguably the greatest female recording artist, but also a principled individual who refuses to remain silent in the face of injustice.” He thanked her for using her global platform to draw attention to what he described as atrocities against Christians in Nigeria and said he looked forward to working together on potential solutions.

Minaj also shared her appreciation for the invitation on X, writing directly to the ambassador. “I am so grateful to be entrusted with an opportunity of this magnitude,” she wrote. “I do not take it for granted. It means more than you know.” She reiterated her commitment to speaking out against injustice and referenced her fanbase, saying, “The Barbz and I will never stand down in the face of injustice. We’ve been given our influence by God, and there must be a bigger purpose.”

The rapper, who recently made headlines due to a highly publicized online feud with fellow rapper Cardi B, has expressed admiration for Trump on previous occasions. Earlier this month, she posted a screenshot of Trump’s Truth Social message about Nigeria, writing that reading it gave her “a deep sense of gratitude.”

“We live in a country where we can freely worship God,” she wrote at the time. “No group should ever face persecution for practicing their faith. We don’t have to share the same beliefs to respect one another.”

Adding to the unusual intersection of pop culture and politics, the White House TikTok account recently joined a viral remix trend combining the 1992 hit “What’s Up?” by 4 Non Blondes with Minaj’s 2012 song “Beez in the Trap.” The video featured clips of Trump and first lady Melania Trump set to the mashup.

Minaj responded in the comments, thanking the Trumps and writing, “This is pretty incredible,” underscoring the growing visibility of her connection to the ongoing political conversation.