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Nicki Minaj Praises Donald Trump for Labeling Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” Over Christian Persecution
Did Nicki Minaj Praise Trump’s Decision to Designate Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern”?
Short answer: Yes — multiple news outlets report that Nicki Minaj publicly thanked President Donald Trump after he announced that Nigeria would be designated a “country of particular concern” over alleged attacks on Christians. This post examines the claim, provides context, and summarizes the reactions.
What was announced?
On October 31, 2025, former U.S. President Donald Trump posted a statement on his social platform announcing that he was designating Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” — a labeling used under the 1998 International Religious Freedom Act to highlight serious, systemic violations of religious freedom and to open the door for potential sanctions or other U.S. actions. In his post he described the situation as an “existential threat” to Christianity in Nigeria and blamed “radical Islamists” for mass killings. 0
Did Nicki Minaj praise the move?
Yes. News organizations reported that Nicki Minaj (Onika Maraj-Petty) responded with gratitude after Trump’s announcement, thanking him for calling attention to attacks on Christians in Nigeria and urging prayers for persecuted believers. Her comments were shared and reported on by outlets including Newsweek and Nigerian press outlets, who noted that her post drew both praise and criticism from different quarters. 1
“No group should ever be persecuted for practising their religion. … Thank you to The President & his team for taking this seriously. God bless every persecuted Christian.” — reported paraphrase of Minaj’s reaction in multiple outlets.
(That exact phrasing above is a paraphrase used in press reporting to summarize her sentiment; see the primary reports cited.) 2
How did people react — in Nigeria and abroad?
The response was mixed. International and Nigerian media reported that the Nigerian government strongly rejected the characterization and pushed back, saying religious freedom is constitutionally protected and noting that violence in Nigeria affects communities across religious lines. The announcement also prompted debate within Nigeria over the causes of violence (insurgency, cattle/herder conflicts, communal clashes) and whether singling out the country as a CPC is constructive or politically motivated. 3
At the same time, some U.S. political figures and commentators welcomed the move as recognition of the scale of attacks on Christian communities, while critics argued that the framing simplified a complex security and political crisis and risked stoking sectarian tensions. Several Nigerian outlets covered the controversy around both Trump’s statement and international reactions, including coverage of celebrity responses such as Minaj’s. 4
Why does this matter?
A CPC designation is significant because it places a country on a U.S. list that has historically been a tool for raising diplomatic pressure and sometimes for triggering punitive measures (from visa restrictions to aid review or sanctions). Even if a designation does not automatically produce sanctions, it is a diplomatic signal that can have consequences for bilateral relations and aid programs. The U.S. first labeled Nigeria a CPC in 2020 and removed that label in 2023; reinstating the label is noteworthy for policy and diplomacy. 5
Context: What’s actually happening on the ground in Nigeria?
Nigeria faces a multi-dimensional insecurity problem: Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgency in the northeast, violent clashes and communal conflicts in central states involving herders and farmers, and banditry and kidnappings in other parts of the country. Victims of violence include Christians and Muslims, with local dynamics and criminality sometimes overlapping with extremist activities. Analysts caution against oversimplifying the situation as a single religious persecution narrative, while also recognizing documented attacks on churches and Christian communities. 6
What should readers take away?
- The specific factual claim — that Nicki Minaj publicly praised President Trump’s announcement about Nigeria being a “country of particular concern” — is supported by multiple news reports. 7
- The broader policy move (the CPC designation) is real and significant; it has both symbolic and possible practical consequences for Nigeria–U.S. relations. 8
- Context matters: violence in Nigeria is complex and affects people across faiths; any single framing risks missing local drivers and victims. Consult multiple sources and local reporting for the fuller picture. 9
Further reading and sources
- AP News — Coverage of Nigeria’s government response and background on the security situation. 10
- AP / Associated Press summary of Trump’s announcement and possible implications. 11
- Newsweek — Report on Nicki Minaj’s reaction and her public statement. 12
- Guardian.ng — Nigerian media coverage of Minaj’s reaction and local debate. 13
- Fox News & Sky — Additional reporting on the designation and political reactions. 14
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