In a surprising partnership, United Nations Ambassador Mike Waltz and rapper Nicki Minaj are coming together this week to raise awareness about the persecution of Christians in Nigeria.
Waltz, who admitted he admires Minaj and considers her “probably the greatest female recording artist,” expressed gratitude for her willingness to use her influential platform to highlight the suffering faced by Christians in Nigeria. He shared his eagerness to collaborate with her on discussing what steps the president and his administration are taking to counter this persecution.
Minaj responded by expressing her deep appreciation for the opportunity, mentioning that it holds significant meaning for her. She asserted that she and her fans, the “Barbs,” would stand firm against injustice, emphasizing that their influence is a divine gift with a greater purpose.
Pope Leo XIV has recently called attention to the issue after another violent incident affecting civilians in various African nations.
It has been reported that Waltz and Minaj will address the situation in a speech on Tuesday in New York, as covered by Time magazine’s Eric Cortelessa. The ongoing violence in Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, has begun to gain more recognition in the United States, especially after President Donald Trump threatened military action if Nigeria’s government does not take action against militant groups.
While the Nigerian government claims that Christians are not specifically targeted, advocacy group Open Doors places Nigeria as the seventh most dangerous country for Christians globally, asserting that more Christians are killed in Nigeria than anywhere else combined. The presidential office stated that terrorists attack not only Christians but also Muslims and anyone opposing their violent ideology.
Despite differing perspectives, President Trump has recently classified Nigeria as a “country of special concern” regarding the widespread persecution of Christians. Statistics show that among the 100 million Christians in Nigeria, around 50,000 have reportedly lost their lives since Boko Haram’s rise in 2009, with various reports indicating that over 52,000 Christians have been killed and many more have faced abduction or attacks on their places of worship since then.
This month, Trump designated Nigeria alongside countries like China, Iran, Russia, and North Korea as places of particular concern, asking Congressman Riley Moore and others to investigate what they describe as a “genocide” against Christians. In a recent video, Trump expressed his readiness to take extreme measures against Nigeria if the situation does not improve.
Minaj reflected on her challenging early days in her music career, mentioning how her faith helped her endure tough financial times. She recalled her mother’s influence in keeping her connected to her faith, which has always motivated her.
