Rap superstar Nicki Minaj joined Donald Trump's campaign on Tuesday, claiming that Christians are being persecuted in Nigeria, a claim disputed by the country's authorities.

During a roundtable discussion organized in New York by US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz, the 42-year-old singer thanked the US President for "making this issue a priority".

"In Nigeria, Christians are being targeted, driven from their homes and killed. Churches have been burned down. Families have been torn apart, and entire communities live in constant fear, simply because of the way they pray," said the rapper, originally from Trinidad and Tobago, who has lived in New York since childhood.

This issue has recently caught the attention of Donald Trump, who accused the country of "tolerating the murders of Christians" by "Islamist terrorists," joining a thesis defended by some American conservatives.

These accusations have been rejected by Nigerian authorities, observers and researchers alike, who assert that the continent's most populous country is the scene of numerous conflicts that kill both Christians and Muslims, often without distinction.

"I want to be clear: protecting Christians in Nigeria has nothing to do with taking sides or dividing people. It's about uniting humanity," the star also said, cautious in her remarks.

A figure of outspoken feminism, often raw and provocative in her lyrics and outfits, Nicki Minaj has, in the past, spoken of her Christian faith, but without making a particular display of it. On Tuesday, she was accompanied by her pastor.

"This is not random violence. It is a genocide that wears the mask of chaos," the American ambassador said.

"Although Nigerian officials maintain that terrorism strikes all faiths indiscriminately - which is true - there is a body of evidence (...) that paints a very grim picture of disproportionate suffering among Christians," he added.

Addressing Nicki Minaj, Mike Waltz also said: "When I was appointed ambassador, organizing this event with you wasn't really on my list of likely things... But that's what the Lord does: He gathers people to protect His flock and advance His word."