“It is an honor to stand on this stage… to shine a spotlight on the deadly threat faced by thousands of Christians in Nigeria,” she said. Minaj described documented attacks in several regions, stating that “Christians are being targeted, driven from their homes, and killed,” adding that churches have been burned, families displaced, and communities forced to live “in fear constantly simply because of how they pray.”
Minaj thanked President Donald Trump, saying, “I would like to thank President Trump for prioritizing this issue and for his leadership… to defend Christians in Nigeria, to combat extremism, and to bring a stop to violence against those who simply want to exercise their natural right to freedom of religion or belief.”
She stressed that her remarks were not intended to align with any political faction. “Protecting Christians in Nigeria is not about taking sides or dividing people. It is about uniting humanity,” she said. Minaj added that “no group should ever be persecuted for practicing their religion,” and noted that individuals “don’t have to share the same beliefs to respect each other.”
Referencing her travels as a performer, Minaj said, “Music has taken me around the globe… Religious freedom means we all can sing our faith regardless of who we are, where we live, and what we believe.”
She said that the destruction of religious sites should raise an alarm globally. “When one’s church, mosque, or place of worship is destroyed, everyone’s heart should break just a little bit. And the foundation of the United Nations… should shake,” she said. She also commended participants at the event, calling them people who had “seen violence, seen rising intolerance, seen the threats clearly before us, and chose not to look the other way.”
Minaj ended by addressing her fanbase, known as the Barbz, saying, “I appreciate you… this is not a joke.” She concluded, “I will care if anyone, anywhere, is being persecuted for their beliefs.”
