The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has responded to criticisms surrounding Dirty Christmas, a film associated with Nollywood actress and filmmaker Ini Edo, urging a more balanced and contextual assessment of the work.
In a press statement issued on the matter, CAN acknowledged its long-standing role as a moral compass and defender of Christian values in Nigeria.
However, the association noted that concerns raised about the film would have been more constructive if they were based on a full viewing of its content rather than conclusions drawn solely from its title.
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According to the statement, Christmas remains a sacred season symbolising holiness, redemption, and hope, but it is also shaped by diverse human realities that influence how people experience the period.
CAN stressed that such diversity does not undermine the sanctity of Christmas but reflects the complexity of lived faith.
The association described Ini Edo as a committed Christian who holds her faith in high esteem, stating that it would be inconsistent with her values and character to deliberately disparage or diminish Christianity.
It added that, as a creative professional, her work, like many artistic expressions, often engages with real-life experiences that may not strictly align with conventional expectations, and this should not be misconstrued as hostility towards religion.
Addressing the controversy surrounding the film’s title, CAN clarified that Dirty Christmas was intended as a metaphorical and creative expression highlighting layered realities that sometimes accompany the festive season. It maintained that the title was not an insult to the Body of Christ, nor was it meant to mock Christian doctrines.
The statement also referenced concerns reportedly directed at the Nigerian Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) over the approval of the title.
CAN noted that the board operates within a statutory and regulatory framework designed to balance moral sensitivity with freedom of creative expression.
CAN further pointed out that perspectives on Christmas vary even among Christian denominations, reinforcing the view that the celebration is not perceived uniformly within the faith.
It added that a complete viewing of the film confirms it contains no scenes or narratives that ridicule, demean, or undermine Christianity.
At what it described as a critical moment, the association urged CAN to channel its moral influence towards more pressing national issues, particularly the persistent violence and loss of innocent Christian lives in different parts of the country. These humanitarian concerns, it said, require sustained advocacy, compassion, and national attention.
The statement, signed by the National President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, Dr Emeka Rollas Ejezie MON, alongside members of the guild’s leadership, called for measured dialogue, mutual respect, and constructive engagement between faith institutions and the creative industry.
Such collaboration, it concluded, would allow creativity to thrive responsibly while preserving religious values and reflecting the true spirit of Christmas, peace, justice, understanding, and love, thereby strengthening unity between religious bodies and the creative sector.
