American rapper Nicki Minaj has publicly thanked Donald Trump for taking a strong stance on the persecution of Christians in Nigeria, a move that has drawn mixed reactions both in the United States and across Africa.
Minaj took to X (formerly Twitter) to express her appreciation after the former U.S. president issued a statement condemning the ongoing violence against Christians in Nigeria, vowing to prioritise religious freedom and consider further U.S. action. “We live in a country where we can freely worship God. No group should ever be persecuted for practising their religion,” Minaj wrote, adding that Trump’s comments gave her “a deep sense of gratitude.”
Trump, who recently designated Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” under the 1998 International Religious Freedom Act, stated on Truth Social that Christianity faces “an existential threat” in the West African nation. He alleged that “thousands of Christians are being killed” by extremist groups and warned that “the United States cannot stand by while such atrocities continue.”
The Grammy-winning artist, who has been increasingly open about her Christian faith, urged her 130 million followers to “lift them up in prayer,” referencing persecuted Christians worldwide. She also emphasised the need for mutual respect among faiths, writing: “We don’t have to share the same beliefs to respect each other. It’s dangerous to pretend we don’t see what’s happening.”
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz praised Minaj for “using her platform to speak out in defence of persecuted Christians,” saying her message “helps draw attention to a humanitarian tragedy the world has too often ignored.”
However, the controversy quickly took a geopolitical turn. The Nigerian government dismissed Trump’s comments and rejected his threat of potential U.S. military intervention. Presidential spokesman Daniel Bwala told the Associated Press that Trump’s remarks were “based on misleading reports” and “part of his aggressive style of forcing dialogue.”
Bwala stressed that Nigeria is a sovereign nation and that “no foreign power can unilaterally carry out military operations” within its borders. He added that while Nigeria faces widespread violence, the conflict affects both Christians and Muslims, not one religious group exclusively.
Experts agree that the crisis is complex, involving terrorism, ethnic tensions, and competition over land and resources. “The geography of violence largely determines who becomes the victim,” said Taiwo Hassan Adebayo of the Institute for Security Studies. “It’s not strictly a religious war but a reflection of state failure to maintain security.”
Analysts warn that the escalating rhetoric from Washington could strain U.S.–Nigeria relations if it leads to sanctions or military threats. As one researcher, Cheta Nwanze of SBM Intelligence, put it: “The criticism from Washington did not happen in a vacuum — it’s the result of years of inaction against armed groups.”
Meanwhile, Minaj’s statement continues to divide opinion, with some applauding her compassion and others accusing her of endorsing Trump’s controversial foreign policy stance. Nonetheless, her post has reignited global discussion on faith, freedom, and the human cost of religious violence in Africa’s most populous nation.
