CAN Condemns Ini Edo’s Nollywood Film A Very Dirty Christmas, Calls Title Offensive to Christian Faith
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has criticised the title of the newly released Nollywood film, A Very Dirty Christmas, describing it as offensive to the Christian faith and calling for a review by relevant regulatory authorities.
In a statement released on Tuesday, CAN President Archbishop Daniel Okoh said Christmas is a sacred period that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ and should not be presented in a way that undermines its spiritual significance. He argued that associating the word “dirty” with Christmas diminishes the essence of a celebration that represents purity, peace, love, and redemption.
The statement read in part:
“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 the importance of creative freedom in filmmaking, CAN emphasised that such freedom must be exercised with restraint and sensitivity, particularly 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 stakeholders in Nollywood to take a clear stand on the use of religious themes and symbols in ways that may offend faith communities.”
CAN also appealed to the film’s producer, Ini Edo, to be sensitive to public concerns and take steps to address them. The association warned that trivialising sacred values at a time when the country faces moral and social challenges could deepen divisions and erode mutual respect.
Produced by Ini Edo and directed by Akay Mason, A Very Dirty Christmas premiered in cinemas nationwide on December 16, 2025. The film tells the story of a Christmas family reunion thrown into chaos by unresolved secrets and past trauma, turning the festive season into a period of emotional turmoil.
