Nicki Minaj has come under intense global criticism after delivering what experts widely describe as a fact-free, politically loaded tirade about Nigeria during an appearance at the United Nations Headquarters on Tuesday. The rapper, whose attendance was reportedly facilitated by Trump adviser Alex Bruesewitz, alleged that Christians in Nigeria face “extremism,” “targeted killings,” and “constant fear.” She further praised former U.S. President Donald Trump for purportedly “prioritizing” the issue.
But her claims were immediately debunked by conflict researchers, Nigerian officials, and international analysts, who say Minaj’s presentation distorted the realities of insecurity in Nigeria. Gimba Kakanda, Senior Special Assistant to the Nigerian President, recently noted that violence in the country is almost never driven solely by religion, stressing that Muslim and Christian communities “live side by side” across all regions. Human rights lawyer Bulama Bukarti told ABC News that extremist violence in Nigeria is indiscriminate and affects “both faiths,” while an Imam interviewed in the same report emphasized that communities have “gone through pain together,” regardless of religion.
Critics say Minaj used the UN platform to amplify misleading, politically motivated narratives aligned with Trump-world talking points—claims that lack credible data and risk deepening existing tensions. Her recent online behaviour, including sharing a xenophobic and transphobic pro-MAGA clip and repeating Trump’s assertion that Christianity faces an “existential threat” in Nigeria, has already cost her more than 100,000 followers.
Outrage has been swift among Nigerians, many of whom accuse the rapper of exploiting the country’s security challenges for political theatre. Analysts warn that misinformation from global celebrities can distort international perception and undermine ongoing peace-building efforts in Nigeria.
The backlash continues to mount, with observers questioning why a high-profile UN platform was extended to a celebrity delivering unverified and inflammatory claims.
