Professor Melita Mehjabin has officially assumed the role of chairman of the board of directors at National Bank, succeeding Abdul Awal Mintu, the former Minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Change and MP for Feni-3. Mintu stepped down in compliance with legal regulations preventing sitting members of parliament from holding bank chairmanships.
The appointment was unanimously approved at the bank’s 539th board meeting on 28th February. Professor Mehjabin, who previously served as an independent director, took office immediately following the board’s resolution.
Academic and Professional Credentials
Professor Mehjabin combines extensive academic expertise with substantial corporate experience. She currently holds independent directorships at Grameenphone, British American Tobacco Bangladesh, and Unilever Consumer Care Limited.
She earned her undergraduate and postgraduate degrees from the Institute of Business Administration (IBA) and joined the institute as a lecturer in 2009. A Commonwealth Scholar, she completed her PhD in Accounting and Finance at the Alliance Manchester Business School. She also holds a postgraduate degree in Development Studies from the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Before transitioning to academia, Professor Mehjabin spent five years in the corporate sector, undertaking roles at British American Tobacco Bangladesh and Citi Bank NA. This combination of academic insight and corporate expertise positions her to navigate both strategic and governance challenges effectively.
Context of Appointment
Abdul Awal Mintu vacated the chairmanship due to statutory restrictions on MPs. Professor Mehjabin’s election follows a period of governance reform aimed at rectifying previous mismanagement. Reports indicate that, under the former administration, influential corporate entities were implicated in irregularities and misappropriation at the bank.
In response to these issues, a public movement in August 2024 prompted the Bangladesh Bank to dissolve the board for the third time, replacing it with a new composition of directors: 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 assumes leadership at a pivotal moment, with an emphasis on reinforcing governance, transparency, and institutional integrity. Her appointment is expected to enhance strategic oversight and restore public confidence in the bank’s operations.
Widely recognised for her leadership and expertise across academia and corporate governance, Professor Mehjabin is seen as a stabilising force, capable of guiding National Bank through ongoing reforms while strengthening its institutional resilience.