UNITED NATIONS (FN) — Nigeria has protested its exclusion from a United Nations event led by American rapper Nicki Minaj, saying the decision denied the country a voice in discussions about alleged religious killings.
The event, held at UN headquarters in New York in collaboration with the U.S. Mission to the UN, focused on accusations by Washington that Christians in Nigeria face systematic persecution.
U.S. President Donald Trump recently designated Nigeria as “a Country of Particular Concern” over alleged Christian genocide, a claim Nigerian authorities have strongly rejected.
The Chargé d’Affaires of Nigeria’s Permanent Mission to the UN, Syndoph Endoni, said the exclusion amounted to “shaving our head in our absence,” a phrase meant to convey that decisions were being made about Nigeria without its involvement.
“It is important to ensure the country concerned in the ongoing allegations of genocide against Christians is present, aware and has a voice in the matter,” Endoni said. “You should not make important decisions or take action on something that involves a country without their presence or consent.”
Endoni argued that by refusing Nigeria’s participation, U.S. authorities had denied the country the right and opportunity to tell its own side of the story. He expressed disappointment that only a few countries were allowed to participate, questioning the rationale for shutting Nigeria out.
According to Endoni, U.S. envoy Amb. Patricia Mahoney informed him that the event was a private gathering and that no representative of the Nigerian government, including from the Permanent Mission, was invited. Mahoney explained that the main reason Nigeria was denied participation was to honor the participants’ specific request not to allow Nigerian officials, citing fears of retribution for them and their families.
The Nigerian envoy expressed concerns over what he described as “naming and shaming,” warning that such actions were capable of causing apprehensions in the country. “We further highlighted that the Nigerian government is not standing idly by to watch the atrocities perpetrated by the criminals,” he said, stressing that authorities are actively working to combat extremist violence and protect communities.
In addition, Endoni stressed that both countries could jointly solve Nigeria’s insecurity problems only if they worked together. He urged the U.S. to ensure inclusive engagements to avoid undue escalation over claims of persecution of Christians in Nigeria.
Despite the exclusion, Endoni said Nigerian authorities would continue to engage their U.S. counterparts over the killings by extremists and collaborate to protect lives and property in Nigeria.
