The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has expressed strong reservations over the title of a newly released Nollywood film, A Very Dirty Christmas, describing it as offensive to Christianity and calling for regulatory review.
In a statement obtained by Hobnob News on Tuesday, CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, said Christmas is a sacred season that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ and should not be portrayed in a manner that undermines its spiritual significance.
According to the association, the use of the word “dirty” in reference to Christmas diminishes the values the celebration represents, including purity, peace, love, and redemption.
“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,” the statement read.
“Christmas is a sacred season that marks the birth of Jesus Christ and symbolises purity, peace, love, and redemption. Associating 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 stressed that such freedom must be exercised with sensitivity, particularly in a religiously diverse society like Nigeria.
The association called on the National Film and Video Censors Board to clarify how the film title was approved for public exhibition, especially during the Christmas season. It also urged Nollywood industry bodies, including the Actors Guild of Nigeria, to take a firm stance on the use of religious themes and symbols in ways that could offend faith communities.
CAN further appealed to the film’s producer, actress Ini Edo, to consider the concerns raised and take appropriate steps to address them in the interest of mutual respect and social harmony.
The association warned that trivialising sacred values at a time when the nation is grappling with moral and social challenges could deepen divisions and weaken interfaith understanding.
A Very Dirty Christmas, produced by Ini Edo and directed by Akay Mason, was released in cinemas nationwide on December 16, 2025. The film revolves around a Christmas family reunion disrupted by unresolved secrets and past trauma, turning the festive season into emotional turmoil.
