“Shaving Our Head in Our Absence”: Nigeria Protests Exclusion from Nicki Minaj UN Event

Nigeria has voiced strong objections to its exclusion from a United States–hosted event at the United Nations featuring rapper Nicki Minaj, where discussions focused on alleged killings of Nigerians from a specific faith group. The panel, held at the UN headquarters in New York, addressed claims by U.S. authorities that Christians in Nigeria face persecution—allegations Nigeria has consistently rejected.

Speaking in New York, Nigeria’s Chargé d’Affaires to the UN, Syndoph Endoni, said shutting Nigeria out of a discussion centered on its internal affairs was akin to “shaving our head in our absence.” He argued that any dialogue concerning accusations as serious as genocide should include the country being accused so it can present its account.

The event, organised by the U.S. Mission to the UN in collaboration with Minaj, followed recent actions by President Donald Trump, who designated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” over alleged systematic violence targeting Christians. Nigeria has repeatedly dismissed these claims, insisting that criminals, rather than the state, are responsible for attacks across communities.

Endoni expressed frustration that a handful of countries and personalities were invited to speak while Nigeria itself was excluded. He said the decision denied Nigeria the chance to counter what it views as misleading narratives and stressed that Abuja is not ignoring violence carried out by extremist groups.

According to Endoni, U.S. officials cited the safety concerns of participants—some of whom reportedly feared reprisals—as the reason Nigerian representatives were barred from attending. But he warned that such actions risk heightening tensions and creating unnecessary apprehension.

The Nigerian envoy noted that U.S. Senior Advisor for African Affairs Patricia Mahoney had informed him a day earlier that the event was private and that, although a Nigerian pastor was invited, no Nigerian government official was allowed to participate. He questioned the wisdom of such selective engagement, saying it undermined efforts by both countries to work together on security challenges.

Nigeria, he added, will continue to engage with U.S. authorities on issues involving extremist violence, while insisting on collaborative approaches that protect lives and prevent the escalation of unfounded claims.