Nollywood actress and filmmaker Ini Edo has publicly addressed the controversy surrounding the title of her new holiday film, A Very Dirty Christmas. This comes after the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) expressed strong disapproval, labeling the title as offensive to the Christian faith.
CAN's Strong Condemnation of the Movie Title
The Christian body issued a statement declaring its outrage over the movie's name. CAN emphasized that Christmas is a sacred season marking the birth of Jesus Christ, representing purity, peace, love, and redemption. The association argued that linking the word "dirty" to such a holy celebration diminishes its spiritual significance and reduces a solemn religious observance to something crude.
Furthermore, CAN called upon the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) to provide an explanation for how the title was approved for public exhibition, especially during the Christmas period. The organization also urged Nollywood stakeholders to be mindful of using religious themes in ways that could offend faith communities and appealed directly to Ini Edo to show sensitivity.
Ini Edo's Official Response on Instagram
Breaking her silence on December 18, 2025, Ini Edo took to her official Instagram page to share her thoughts. The actress expressed gratitude for the support from her fans and provided her own description of the film's content.
"I am in love with all of you for your support thus far... Thank you for watching A Very Dirty Christmas... Fam, this is your perfect holiday movie for your family and friends... It’s clean, it’s refreshing, it’s intriguing... You will have a great time, I promise," the actress wrote in her post.
Her statement directly contrasts with CAN's interpretation of the title, framing the movie as wholesome family entertainment for the holiday season.
Mixed Public Reactions to the Controversy
The debate has sparked a wide range of reactions from the Nigerian public on social media and news platforms.
Ekenedilichukwu Osadebe commented, "CAN trying to be more Catholic than the pope.." while Abba Sambo suggested the controversy served as free promotion for the film.
Other users offered more measured perspectives. Nemere Way stated, "In as much as I am not a religious person... I still respect the boundaries even in debates... I don't have to do it in a derogatory way." Meanwhile, De-neat Daniel remarked, "We have a righteous judge who judges the intent of the heart."
The incident highlights the ongoing tension between creative expression in Nigeria's vibrant film industry and the sensibilities of the country's religious communities.
