The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has criticised Nollywood actress and producer Ini Edo over the title of her latest film, A Very Dirty Christmas, describing it as offensive to the Christian faith and urging regulatory authorities to review it.
In a statement on Tuesday, CAN President Archbishop Daniel Okoh said Christmas is a sacred season marking the birth of Jesus Christ and should not be portrayed in a manner that undermines its spiritual significance. He said associating the word “dirty” with the festive period diminishes its meaning, which embodies purity, peace, love, and redemption.
The statement read:
“The Christian Association of Nigeria is deeply troubled by the title of the movie: ‘A Very Dirty Christmas,’ which it considers offensive and disrespectful to the Christian faith.
“Christmas is a sacred season that marks the birth of Jesus Christ and represents purity, peace, love, and redemption.
“Linking such a holy celebration with the word ‘dirty’ diminishes its spiritual meaning and reduces a solemn religious observance to something crude and sensational.”
While acknowledging creative freedom in filmmaking, CAN stressed that such freedom should be exercised with sensitivity, especially in a religiously diverse country like Nigeria.
The statement continued:
“CAN therefore calls on the National Film and Video Censors Board to explain how the title was approved for public exhibition, particularly during the Christmas season.
“CAN also urges industry bodies such as the Actors Guild of Nigeria and other Nollywood stakeholders to take a clear stand on the use of religious themes and symbols in ways that may offend faith communities.”
CAN also appealed directly to Ini Edo to consider public concerns and take steps to address them. The association warned that trivialising sacred values amid the country’s moral and social challenges could deepen divisions and erode mutual respect.
A Very Dirty Christmas, produced by Ini Edo and directed by Akay Mason, was released nationwide on December 16, 2025. The film centres on a Christmas family reunion disrupted by unresolved secrets and past trauma, turning the festive season into a period of emotional turmoil.
