The National Film and Video Censors Board, Nigeria’s official government agency responsible for regulating film and video content, has defended its approval of the Nollywood film titled A Very Dirty Christmas, insisting that the movie’s name does not insult or trivialise the Christian faith.
The clarification was issued by the Executive Director of the National Film and Video Censors Board, Dr Shaibu Husseini, a Nigerian academic and cultural administrator, through a series of posts published on Wednesday on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. His comments followed mounting criticism from Christian organisations over the film’s title.
Dr Husseini explained that the Board approved the movie only after a comprehensive review of its storyline, themes, and creative direction, stressing that the title was assessed within its narrative context rather than in isolation. According to him, regulators interpreted the phrase as symbolic and not a literal description of the Christmas celebration.
“During review, the title was interpreted as metaphorical rather than literal—understood as a reference to human conduct, moral contradictions, or social realities unfolding during a festive period, and not as an ascription of impropriety to Christmas as a sacred Christian event,” he said.
He further clarified that the film does not portray, reenact, ridicule, or diminish the nativity story, the birth of Jesus Christ, or any core doctrines of Christianity. He added that there is no scene, dialogue, or imagery in the production that mocks Christian worship or theology.
“In line with established regulatory principles, the National Film and Video Censors Board places significant emphasis on context and intent over isolated literary or semantic interpretations when exercising its statutory mandate,” Dr Husseini added.
Okay News reports that following public reactions, the Board initiated discussions with the film’s producers to address the concerns raised by Christian groups while preserving the artistic integrity of the work. According to Dr Husseini, the Board requested a possible modification or stylisation of the title to reduce public sensitivity without undermining the creative vision behind the film.
He noted that post-approval title adjustments are not unusual in the global film industry, citing the example of the 2019 Indian film Judgemental Hai Kya, which underwent a title change after objections from mental health professionals.
The controversy emerged after the release and promotion of A Very Dirty Christmas, a Nollywood film produced by Ini Edo, a well-known Nigerian actress and film producer. The title sparked criticism from the Christian Association of Nigeria, the umbrella body representing Christians in Nigeria, as well as other faith-based groups.
These groups described the title as offensive, arguing that associating Christmas, which commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, with the word “dirty” undermines its spiritual significance. They demanded an apology from the producers and called on regulators to withdraw or reconsider the film’s approval.
In response, the producers maintained that the title is symbolic, reflecting moral conflicts and family tensions explored in the storyline rather than serving as commentary on Christianity. Despite the controversy, the film has continued screening in cinemas across Nigeria as discussions between stakeholders remain ongoing.
