Professor Melita Mehjabin has been appointed chairman of the board of directors of National Bank, replacing Abdul Awal Mintu, the former Minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Change and MP for Feni-3. Mintu stepped down in line with regulatory restrictions that prohibit sitting members of parliament from holding bank chairmanships.
The decision was unanimously approved during the bank’s 539th board meeting on 28th February. Professor Mehjabin, who had been serving as an independent director, assumed the chairmanship immediately following the resolution.
Academic and Professional Background
Professor Mehjabin brings a rare combination of corporate and academic expertise to her new role. She currently serves as an independent director at Grameenphone, British American Tobacco Bangladesh, and Unilever Consumer Care Limited.
She completed both her undergraduate and postgraduate degrees at the Institute of Business Administration (IBA) and joined as a lecturer in 2009. A Commonwealth Scholar, she earned her PhD in Accounting and Finance from Alliance Manchester Business School. Additionally, she holds a postgraduate degree in Development Studies from the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Before entering academia, Professor Mehjabin accumulated five years of corporate experience, including positions at British American Tobacco Bangladesh and Citi Bank NA. This dual experience equips her to address strategic and governance challenges facing the bank.
Context of Appointment
Abdul Awal Mintu stepped down due to legal restrictions on MPs serving as bank chairs. The board subsequently elected Professor Mehjabin, reflecting ongoing governance reforms following allegations of mismanagement during the previous administration.
Reports suggest that under the previous government, certain influential corporate groups were involved in irregularities and misappropriation at the bank. Following a public movement in August 2024, the Bangladesh Bank dissolved the board for the third time, citing multiple irregularities, and appointed a new board consisting of three shareholder directors and four independent directors.
| Director Type | Members |
|---|---|
| Shareholder Directors | Abdul Awal Mintu, Moazzem Hossain, Zakaria Taher |
| Independent Directors | 4 members, including Melita Mehjabin |
Outlook and Expectations
Professor Mehjabin’s appointment comes at a critical juncture, with a focus on strengthening governance, institutional integrity, and public confidence. Her leadership is expected to reinforce transparency, improve strategic oversight, and guide National Bank through its next phase of development.
With a distinguished career spanning academia and corporate leadership, Professor Mehjabin is widely regarded as a stabilising figure capable of steering the bank through ongoing reforms and ensuring effective governance practices.