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Nicki Minaj has praised President Donald Trump for speaking out about extremism against Christians in Nigeria. “No group should ever be persecuted for practicing their religion,” the rapper, 42, wrote in a post on X. “We don’t have to share the same beliefs in order for us to respect each other.” Nigeria has said it is committed to tackling violent extremism but has rejected any suggestion that a genocide against Christians is taking place in the West African nation. Why It Matters Nigeria is a major power in Africa, representing the most populated nation and fourth-highest Gross Domestic Products (GDP) on the continent. The country has a population of 240 million and is evenly split between Christians and Muslims. However, the nation has long faced suggestions by some U.S. evangelical Christian groups and politicians that a deliberate campaign of extermination is taking place against Nigeria’s Christian population. Trump in his first administration placed Nigeria on the U.S. religious freedom watchlist, but President Joe Biden lifted that designation during his administration. On Friday, Trump announced his intent to designate Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” for religious freedom violations, which would allow the U.S. to institute punitive measures and sanctions on the country, such as restricting non-humanitarian aid. A worsening relationship between the U.S. and Nigeria could have implications for the U.S. position more generally in Africa, where China’s diplomatic weight has been growing. What To Know Trump posted on Truth Social that he had requested the House Appropriations Committee and other congressmen to look into the “existential threat” Christians face in Nigeria, saying he would make Nigeria a “country of particular concern.” “The United States cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening in Nigeria, and numerous other Countries,” Trump wrote. “We stand ready, willing, and able to save our Great Christian population around the World!” In her response on Saturday, Minaj reposted the president’s message and expressed a “deep sense of gratitude” for his comments. “We live in a country where we can freely worship God,” she wrote, adding: "Numerous countries all over the world are being affected by this horror & it’s dangerous to pretend we don’t notice.” “Thank you to The President & his team for taking this seriously,” Minaj went on. “God bless every persecuted Christian. Let’s remember to lift them up in prayer.” Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, a spokesperson for Nigeria’s foreign ministry, said that his country has “noted” the U.S. statement on religious freedom, saying: “We remain committed in our resolve to tackle the violent extremism that is fueled by special interests who have helped drive such decay and division in countries across the intersecting West African and Sahel regions.” “The Federal Government of Nigeria will continue to defend all citizens, irrespective of race, creed, or religion,” Ebienfa added. “Like America, Nigeria has no option but to celebrate the diversity that is our greatest strength. Nigeria is a God-fearing country where we respect faith, tolerance, diversity and inclusion, in concurrence with the rules-based international order." What People Are Saying Nigerian Senator Shehu Sani wrote on X: "I understand that Nigeria is among the 12 countries designated as one of particular Concern. The designation of Nigeria is founded on outright falsehoods and wholesale misinformation. Terrorists and bandits in Nigeria kill and kidnap their victims irrespective of their religious beliefs. "The records are self evident in the last 15 years. Looking at the Muslim/Christian ratio in Nigeria, it’s technically impossible for one faith to persecute another. Nigeria is a Lion and Tiger situation and not a Lion and a Zebra configuration." "Trump was misinformed by anarchists and lackeys and apprentices of neocolonialism who aimed to benefit from their seeds of division, divisiveness and discontent," Sani added. "This particular weapon raised against this country shall never prosper. Nigeria, like all nations battling terrorism, needs support and assistance to tackle its security challenges." Representative John James of Michigan, a Republican, wrote on X on Friday: "Thank you, President Trump, for standing up for persecuted Christians in Nigeria and around the world. Thousands of believers are being murdered for their faith. America must not turn a blind eye. We stand with our brothers and sisters in Christ, and I’m grateful for a President willing to speak out and take action." Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, a Republican, in a statement issued on Friday, in part: "I am deeply gratified to President Trump for making this determination. I have fought for years to counter the slaughter and persecution of Christians in Nigeria, and this year introduced legislation that will lock in the designation made today. Today’s designation is a critical step in holding accountable and changing the behavior of Nigerian officials who have facilitated and created an environment conducive to the outrages in Nigeria." What Happens Next The House Appropriations Committee will look into the events in Nigeria to determine if further actions should be taken, and the president will announce what measures the U.S. will take following his designation of "concern" regarding Nigeria.
