Shehu Sani advises Nicki Minaj against using Nigeria’s crisis to gain favor from Trump

Shehu Sani, a former senator from Kaduna, has advised American rapper Nicki Minaj to avoid using Nigerian issues to gain favor with President Donald Trump.

His comments were in response to Minaj’s recent address at the United Nations, where she expressed support for Trump’s assertion that Christians are being persecuted in Nigeria.

During her speech, she highlighted the targeting of Christians, mentioning the burning of churches and the separation of families due to their faith.

While Minaj, whose real name is Onika Tanya Maraj-Petty, claimed her call for the protection of Christians was about standing against injustice and promoting unity, Sani condemned her remarks.

He stated that the platform provided by the UN has allowed Minaj to spread misinformation regarding a supposed genocide in Nigeria.

He criticized her lack of knowledge about the country, asserting that she has never visited any conflict-affected areas or supported humanitarian efforts there. Sani pointed out that compared to other Western celebrities, she has no history of relevant activism for Nigeria or Africa.

Additionally, he described her claims as opportunistic, suggesting they were aimed at securing Trump’s support rather than stemming from genuine concern.

He urged Minaj to focus on social issues in her home country, Trinidad and Tobago, where her influence could be more impactful.

Sani concluded by emphasizing that using Nigerian issues for personal or political advantage, particularly in relation to Trump’s often immigration-unfriendly policies, is inappropriate.