The National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) has defended its decision to approve the Nollywood film A Very Dirty Christmas, stating that the title was cleared after a detailed review found it neither insulting nor dismissive of the Christian faith.
The Executive Director of the board, Dr Shaibu Husseini, clarified the agency’s position on Wednesday through a series of posts on X, following criticism from Christian groups over the film’s title.
According to Husseini, the film and its title were approved after regulators carefully assessed the storyline, themes, and creative intent of the producers. He explained that the title was interpreted metaphorically rather than literally.
“During review, the title was understood as a metaphor referring to human behaviour, moral contradictions, or social realities that unfold during a festive season, and not as a comment on Christmas as a sacred Christian celebration,” Husseini said.
He stressed that the film does not mock, trivialise, or depict the nativity, the birth of Jesus Christ, or any core Christian beliefs. He added that no scene, dialogue, or imagery in the movie ridicules Christian worship or theology.
Husseini noted that the NFVCB prioritises context and intent over isolated interpretations when exercising its regulatory mandate.
However, he disclosed that the board had engaged the producers of the film following concerns raised by Christian bodies and communities. As part of this engagement, the NFVCB requested a modification or stylisation of the film’s title to address public sensitivities without compromising the creative integrity of the work.
He added that post-approval title adjustments are not unusual in the global film industry, citing the 2019 Indian film Judgemental Hai Kya, which was renamed after public criticism.
Husseini said the board’s intervention was consistent with the provisions of the NFVCB Act and aimed at preventing misunderstanding and potential religious tension. He confirmed that discussions with the producers were ongoing and described their response as positive.
The controversy followed the release and promotion of A Very Dirty Christmas, produced by actress Ini Edo, which drew objections from the Christian Association of Nigeria and other Christian groups. The groups described the title as offensive, arguing that linking Christmas with the word “dirty” undermines its religious significance.
They called on the producers to apologise and urged regulators to withdraw or reconsider the film’s approval.
In response, the producers maintained that the title is symbolic and reflects moral conflicts and family tensions explored in the storyline, not an attack on Christianity.
The film continues to screen in cinemas nationwide as public debate over its title persists.
