Ini Edo’s newly released movie, "A Very Dirty Christmas", has sparked backlash from the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), which described the film’s title as offensive and disrespectful to the Christian faith.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, December 17, and signed by CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, the association said it was deeply disturbed by the use of the word “dirty” to describe Christmas, a season it considers holy and spiritually significant.

According to CAN, Christmas commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ and represents purity, peace, love, and redemption. The group argued that attaching such a term to the celebration strips it of its sacred meaning and reduces it to something crude and sensational.

While acknowledging the importance of creative freedom, CAN stressed that artistic expression must be exercised responsibly, especially in a religiously diverse country like Nigeria. The association noted that creativity should promote unity rather than offend deeply held beliefs.

CAN also questioned how the movie’s title passed through regulatory processes without objection, calling on the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) to explain its approval, particularly during the Christmas season when religious sensitivity is heightened.

In addition, the association urged Nollywood bodies such as the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) and other industry stakeholders to take a firm stand on the portrayal of religious themes in films.

The Christian body called on the film’s producers to reconsider the title and issue a public apology to the Christian community. It also appealed directly to Ini Edo to show sensitivity and address the concerns raised, warning that actions which trivialise sacred values could deepen division at a time when the nation is already facing moral and social challenges.