Two prominent Nigerian executives, Mary Njoku and Juliet Ehimuan, have been confirmed for significant roles at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity 2026, reflecting their considerable influence across media, business, and innovation on the global stage. This dual appointment highlights Nigeria's growing representation and impact in international creative and business landscapes.

Mary Njoku, the founder and Managing Director/CEO of ROK Studios, a Canal+ subsidiary, has been named a LIONS Scholarship Jury Member for Cannes Lions 2026. Njoku, a renowned Nollywood executive, will join global industry leaders in selecting the next generation of emerging talent. Her role aligns with her impressive track record of building ROK Studios into one of Africa’s most prolific production companies since its founding in 2013, amassing a catalogue of over 3,000 hours of original content. In 2019, she oversaw the landmark acquisition of ROK Studios by Canal+, a deal considered the largest international transaction involving a Nollywood brand, and she has continued as Managing Director post-acquisition. Her appointment ensures a Nollywood executive is at the forefront of a program dedicated to identifying and nurturing future creative leaders.

The LIONS Scholarship program is designed to provide young creatives and marketers with a fully funded place in either the Creative Academy or Brand Marketers Academy at Cannes Lions 2026. It will select ten winners from ten different countries, with applications open to candidates aged 30 and under, thereby fostering new talent in the industry.

Separately, Juliet Ehimuan, Founder and CEO of Beyond Limits Global, has been appointed to the 2026 Awarding Jury, where she will serve in the highly prestigious Innovation category. Ehimuan brings decades of tech leadership and expertise to this role, where she will judge ideas that redefine the intersection of technology, creativity, and problem-solving. Prior to founding Beyond Limits Global, she served as Google’s Country Manager for Nigeria from 2011, later becoming Director for West Africa in 2017, leading the company’s regional operations for 12 years. During her tenure, Google provided free digital skills training to over six million people and advanced training to more than 100,000 developers across Africa. She also serves as a Non-Executive Director at Zenith Bank and has been recognized by Forbes as one of the top 20 power women in Africa, by London Business School as one of 30 people changing the world, and by MIPAD as one of the Most Influential People of African Descent. Ehimuan expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “Innovation is a fundamental driver of progress and a core pillar upon which I have built my career over the last three decades. Cannes Lions represents the pinnacle of global creative excellence. And as the industry evolves, the diversity of voices at the table becomes our greatest asset in defining what’s next.”

While the LIONS Scholarship focuses on emerging talent, the Awarding Jury, particularly the Innovation Lions, is tasked with recognizing the best work currently shaping the industry, spotlighting groundbreaking ideas. Simon Cook, CEO of LIONS, underscored the importance of the jury’s role, noting that their expertise in recognizing groundbreaking work sets the global creative benchmark for the year ahead and offers a glimpse into the future of creativity. The Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity 2026 is scheduled to take place from June 22nd to 26th in Cannes, France.

These appointments ensure Nigeria's representation across two crucial areas of Cannes Lions 2026: the development of future talent and the recognition of innovation at the highest international level, marking a moment of pride for the women Nigeria is showcasing on the world stage.