The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has criticised the title of the movie A Very Dirty Christmas, describing it as offensive to the Christian faith and calling for a public apology from the film’s producers, including Nollywood actress and producer, Ini Edo.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by its President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, the umbrella Christian body said the title trivialises the spiritual meaning of Christmas and undermines values held sacred by millions of Christians across Nigeria.
CAN explained that Christmas marks the birth of Jesus Christ and symbolises purity, peace, love and redemption, warning that associating the holy season with the word “dirty” diminishes its spiritual importance.
“Christmas is a sacred season that marks the birth of Jesus Christ and represents purity, peace, love and redemption, and linking such a holy celebration with the word ‘dirty’ diminishes its spiritual meaning and reduces a solemn religious observance to something crude and sensational,” Archbishop Okoh said.
Beyond its religious concerns, CAN also raised questions about regulatory oversight, expressing surprise that the film’s title was approved for public viewing, especially during the Christmas season. The Association called on the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) to clarify how the title passed official checks.
“The Association is concerned that a film bearing such a title passed through regulatory and professional channels without adequate scrutiny. 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,” Archbishop Okoh stated.
CAN further urged Nollywood professional bodies, including the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) and other industry stakeholders, to take a clear stance on the use of religious themes and symbols in ways that could offend faith communities.
While acknowledging the importance of creative freedom and artistic expression, the Christian body stressed that such freedom must be exercised with care in a multi-religious society like Nigeria.
“CAN respects creative freedom and artistic expression, but such freedom must be exercised with responsibility and sensitivity, especially in a religiously diverse society like Nigeria. Creativity should build understanding and unity, not provoke or offend deeply held beliefs,” the CAN President said.
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The Association specifically appealed to the producers and promoters of the film to reconsider the title and issue a public apology. It named Ini Edo and urged her to address the concerns raised by the Christian community.
“The Christian Association of Nigeria therefore calls on the producers and promoters of the film to reconsider the title, issue a public apology, and take deliberate steps to ensure that religious symbols and sacred seasons are treated with the dignity they deserve. In this regard, CAN calls on the producer, Ini Edo, to show sensitivity and address the concerns raised by the Christian community,” it demanded.
CAN warned that at a time when Nigeria is already dealing with serious moral and social challenges, actions that downplay sacred values could deepen divisions and weaken mutual respect.
“At a time when the nation is already facing serious moral and social challenges, actions that trivialise sacred values only deepen division and erode mutual respect,” Archbishop Okoh added.
Despite its strong stance, the Association said it remains committed to peaceful engagement and will continue to speak out whenever the dignity of the Christian faith is threatened in public spaces.
“CAN remains committed to peaceful engagement but will continue to speak out whenever the dignity of the Christian faith is undermined in the public space,” it added.