Melita Mehjabin Appointed National Bank Chairman

Professor Melita Mehjabin has been appointed as the new chairman of the board of directors of National Bank, succeeding Abdul Awal Mintu, the former minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Change and MP for Feni-3, who stepped down in accordance with regulatory restrictions barring sitting MPs from holding bank chairmanships.

According to the bank, the decision was unanimously taken during the 539th meeting of the board on 28th February. Professor Mehjabin, who previously served as an independent director of the bank, assumed the role of chairman immediately following the board’s resolution.

Background and Qualifications

Professor Mehjabin brings extensive academic and professional experience to her new role. She currently serves as an independent director at Grameenphone, British American Tobacco Bangladesh, and Unilever Consumer Care Limited.

She completed her undergraduate and postgraduate degrees at the Institute of Business Administration (IBA) and joined the institute as a lecturer in 2009. A Commonwealth Scholar, she earned her PhD in Accounting and Finance from the Alliance Manchester Business School. Additionally, she holds a postgraduate degree in Development Studies from the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Before embarking on her academic career, Professor Mehjabin spent five years in the corporate sector, holding roles at British American Tobacco Bangladesh and Citi Bank NA. Her combined corporate and academic experience positions her well to steer National Bank through strategic and governance challenges.

Context of Appointment

Abdul Awal Mintu resigned from the chairmanship due to legal restrictions preventing elected MPs from serving as bank chairs. The board subsequently elected Professor Mehjabin as the new chairman. The move comes in the backdrop of governance reforms following allegations of mismanagement during the tenure of previous administrations.

Reports indicate that during the previous government, National Bank faced significant irregularities, with certain influential corporate groups accused of misappropriation. Following a public movement in August 2024, the Bangladesh Bank dissolved the previous board for the third time, citing multiple irregularities, and appointed a new board comprising three shareholder directors and four independent directors.

The board unanimously selected Professor Mehjabin to lead the bank at a critical juncture, combining governance reforms with efforts to strengthen institutional integrity. Her appointment is expected to reinforce transparency, enhance strategic oversight, and restore public confidence in the bank’s operations.

With a distinguished career bridging academia and corporate leadership, Professor Mehjabin’s leadership is widely regarded as a stabilising force capable of guiding National Bank through its next phase of development and governance reforms.