Nicki Minaj is set to speak at a United Nations event in New York today to advocate for persecuted Christians in Nigeria. 

Earlier this month, US envoy to the United Nations Mike Waltz publicly invited Minaj to visit him “for an in-depth discussion about what our administration is doing to protect Christians’ freedoms all over the world”.  

On Sunday, journalist Eric Cortellessa reported on X: “Scoop: U.S. envoy to the UN @michaelgwaltz and rap superstar @NICKIMINAJ will deliver remarks early this week on the persecution of Christians in Nigeria. The unexpected collaboration was arranged by Trump advisor @AlexBruesewitz, who will also speak at the Tuesday event.” 

Waltz confirmed the meeting on X, calling Minaj a “principled individual who refuses to remain silent”.  

Minaj replied: “Ambassador, I am so grateful to be entrusted with an opportunity of this magnitude… The Barbz & I will never stand down in the face of injustice. We’ve been given our influence by God. There must be a bigger purpose.” 

Minaj has previously spoken about the targeting of Christians in Nigeria, posting on X that “no group should ever be persecuted for practicing their religion”.  

Christian charity Open Doors reported that attacks in Nigeria have been carried out by Fulani militants, Boko Haram and ISWAP, and lists Nigeria as the seventh-most dangerous country for Christians.  

Nigerian foreign ministry spokesperson Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa said the government had “noted” the US statement and remained committed to tackling violent extremism, while presidential adviser Daniel Bwala said claims of “Christian genocide” misrepresented the country’s security situation.

President Trump said on Truth Social that the United States “cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening”.  

The United States Congress will hold a hearing on Thursday to examine allegations of Christian persecution in Nigeria after Trump re-designated the country as a “country of particular concern (CPC)”.