The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has criticized Nollywood actress Ini Edo for her latest Christmas-themed movie, A Very Dirty Christmas, calling the title disrespectful and insensitive to Christian beliefs.
In a statement on Wednesday, December 17, signed by CAN President Archbishop Daniel Okoh, the association said the use of the word “dirty” in connection with Christmas undermines the spiritual significance of the holiday, which celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ and embodies purity, peace, love, and redemption.
“The Christian Association of Nigeria is greatly concerned about the movie title ‘A Very Dirty Christmas,’ which it finds offensive and disrespectful to the Christian faith. Associating such a holy celebration with the term ‘dirty’ diminishes its spiritual significance and turns a solemn religious observance into something crude and sensational,” the statement read.
While acknowledging the importance of artistic freedom, CAN stressed that creativity should come with responsibility, particularly in a religiously diverse country like Nigeria.
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The association also questioned how the film passed regulatory scrutiny without raising objections and called on the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) to clarify the approval process. CAN further urged Nollywood stakeholders, including the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), to adopt clear guidelines on portraying religious themes and sacred symbols in films.
Archbishop Okoh appealed directly to Ini Edo and the film’s producers to reconsider the title and issue a public apology, warning that ignoring these concerns could inflame social tensions.
“At a time when the nation is already grappling with significant moral and social challenges, actions that trivialize sacred values are particularly concerning,” the statement concluded.
