Coventry University student aims to reduce global poverty after winning life-changing scholarship

Nikita Lal, 18, is thrilled to be taking up the scholarship to study Global Financial Planning having secured the funding through a competition run by the university.  

The scholarship is being funded by Timeline, a financial technology company founded by Coventry University graduate Abraham Okusanya, which now manages assets approaching £10billion. 

Scholarship applicants were set the task of preparing a detailed budget for a young person either starting a full-time apprenticeship, a full-time job or going to university and living away from home. 

Nikita chose to design a budget for an apprentice, working in London but living in the Midlands, carrying out extensive research on the options available.  

Nikita Lal

It wasn’t just her competition project that impressed the judges though, Nikita, who often gets up between 4-5am to begin her studies and regularly does volunteer work, was recognised for her work ethic and selflessness.  

Nikita said: “Finance has always interested me – it’s like a doorway that can change your whole life. I want to be a person that helps others create and manage their finances. I have visited India and I’ve seen the vast contrasts in wealth that can exist in some states, I want to help reduce these inequalities, by reaching people and helping them to manage their finances.  

“My ultimate ambition is to launch a global wealth management firm, not just working with the wealthy, but to help create a more equal space for everyone. It’s about teaching financial literacy – I want to help humanity as much as possible and reach groups that could really benefit.  

“I’m very grateful for this opportunity, it’s a big step for me and it’ll help me further my career, it helps me on this path I want to be on. My family practices our religion early in the morning, but my dad taught me that rising early and studying early helps you retain knowledge, it’s something I believe really helps.”  

Dr Lien Luu, Curriculum Lead for Financial Planning at Coventry University, said: “Nikita has greatly impressed us with her dedication to her studies and her desire to help others and make a significant impact to her community. We are very excited that she will join our Global Financial Planning degree at Coventry University in September 2025 and look forward to supporting her to become a great financial planner.”  

Abraham Okusanya, CEO & Founder of Timeline, said: “It is a real pleasure to be able to provide this scholarship opportunity. I extend huge congratulations to Nikita. On behalf of the whole Timeline business, I’m proud to be able to help give Nikita an excellent start in her journey in wealth management and ambition to help humanity. I look forward to seeing her successes in the future.” 

To find out more about studying a business course at Coventry University, visit https://www.coventry.ac.uk/study-at-coventry/colleges-and-schools/business-and-law

View your copy of the Summer 2025 issue of Think Global People magazine here.