• Nicki Minaj publicly supports Donald Trump's claims regarding Christian persecution in Nigeria.
• Experts and Nigerian officials contest the claims, asserting they misrepresent the reality of violence in the country.
• At a UN event, Minaj highlighted the need for urgent action to protect Christians facing violence.

American rapper Nicki Minaj has thrown her support behind President Donald Trump's allegations that Christians are facing persecution in Nigeria. Speaking at a US-organized event at the United Nations, Minaj claimed, "In Nigeria, Christians are being targeted, driven from their homes, and killed. Churches have been burned. Families have been torn apart... simply because of how they pray," a sentiment echoed in her past social media posts. She endorsed Trump's calls for "urgent action" to address the situation and expressed gratitude for Trump's focus on this issue, stating this matter should unite humanity rather than divide it, according to Indiatimes, BBC, and Africanews.

Trump had previously warned of potential military intervention if the Nigerian government failed to protect Christians, asserting, “Religious freedom means we all can sing our faith regardless of who we are.” However, analysts have challenged the narrative that Christians are specifically targeted, noting that violence in Nigeria affects various religious groups, primarily Muslims, amidst broad issues of resource disputes and extremist attacks. This rebuttal has been reiterated by Nigerian officials, who describe Trump's claims as a “gross misrepresentation of reality," according to Indiatimes, BBC, and Africanews.

Amid these tensions, Minaj's public declaration at the UN was one of her most notable political interventions, acknowledging the importance of her influence and fanbase, which she referred to as the "Barbz." She emphasized her stance against injustice, stating that she and her fans "never stand down." The issue of violence in Nigeria remains complex, with reports indicating that the bulk of victims in attacks attributed to Islamist groups are Muslims, according to Indiatimes, BBC, and Africanews.