Maher later posted a clip of this part of his show, saying, “The fact that this issue hasn’t gained public attention is amazing.”
Maher received pushback from some media outlets, including Al Jazeera and AP News, over the use of the word “genocide.” Nigeria’s government took issue with that claim as well. “There is no systematic, intentional attempt either by the Nigerian government or by any serious group to target a particular religion,” Information Minister Idris Muhammed told AP News.
Prior to Maher speaking out, Sen. Ted Cruz had introduced the Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025. According to his website, “The bill protects Christians and other religious minorities being persecuted in Nigeria by holding accountable Nigerian officials who facilitate Islamist jihadist violence and the imposition of blasphemy laws.”
In a post on X Oct. 3, Cruz said, “Officials in Nigeria are ignoring and even facilitating the mass murder of Christians by Islamist jihadists,” he said.
“It’s time to hold those responsible accountable,” said Cruz. “My Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act would target these officials with powerful sanctions and other tools.”
On Oct. 31, the U.S. designated Nigeria a “country of particular concern.” Nicki Minaj reposted comments from President Donald Trump, in which the president said, “Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter.”
Nicki Minaj is one of the most influential hip-hop artists of her time. She is known for hits like “Super Bass,” “Anaconda,” and “Super Freaky Girl,” the latter of which is particularly vulgar.
Trump said that he would have Congressman Riley Moore and chairman Tom Cole, along with the House Appropriations Committee, look into the matter. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and evangelist Franklin Graham both thanked Trump for protecting Nigerian Christians.
RELATED: ‘We Stand by Ready’—President Trump Warns Nigeria To Stop Persecuting Christians
Trump also threatened military action and to stop aid to Nigeria if Christians continue to be persecuted there.
“Reading this made me feel a deep sense of gratitude. We live in a country where we can freely worship God,” said Minaj of Trump’s social media post. “No group should ever be persecuted for practicing their religion. We don’t have to share the same beliefs in order for us to respect each other.”
