Global Reputation at Stake: Allegations of ‘Autocracy’ and Widespread Irregularities Against icddr,b Executive Director

The global reputation of the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b)- the institution that saved millions of lives worldwide by developing the life-saving Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS) for cholera and diarrhoea treatment- is facing a severe crisis. On March 1, 2021, Dr. Tahmid Ahmed took charge as the Executive Director, becoming the first Bangladeshi to hold the position in the institution’s 60-year history. While his appointment initially energized the scientists and staff, serious allegations of absolute centralization of power, nepotism, policy violations, and grave financial irregularities have now emerged against him. Prolonged administrative and financial mismanagement has triggered intense resentment among the institution’s senior scientists and officials.

Investigations reveal that within icddr,b’s institutional framework, the position of ‘Deputy Executive Director’ is the most critical and independent tier after the Executive Director, overseeing core areas such as administration, finance, human resources, and supply chain management. Allegations state that after assuming office, Dr. Tahmid Ahmed kept this crucial position vacant for a long period. Furthermore, he single-handedly retained the additional responsibility of Acting Senior Director of the Nutrition Department for nearly 3 years and 9 months.

Similarly, when the Senior Director of the Health Systems Department resigned before the end of his tenure- due to what insiders describe as dissatisfaction with Dr. Tahmid’s leadership style and intolerance toward dissent- Dr. Tahmid took over as the Acting Senior Director of that department as well, bypassing internationally acclaimed scientists within the division. Holding multiple departmental leadership positions alongside the top executive post for nearly four years is being viewed by stakeholders as an abuse of power and a deliberate reluctance to delegate authority.

Alongside the centralization of power, specific allegations of conflict of interest and nepotism have been leveled against Dr. Tahmid:

* Appointing Spouse to a Key Position: Following the sudden demise of the Senior Director of the Infectious Diseases Division, Dr. Tahmid appointed his wife, Dr. Sayeera Banu, a scientist at the same institution, as the acting head of that division. This sparked fierce internal criticism and ethical questions, eventually forcing her removal from the post.

* Creating Tailored Posts for Favored Officials: icddr,b enforces a strict, competitive policy for the promotion of non-scientific staff. However, allegations suggest that to benefit three close officials in the Legal, Research Administration, and Communications departments, new high-ranking positions were initially created. Once they were promoted into these roles, the previous positions were abolished- a direct violation of established institutional regulations.

The investigation highlights three major financial discrepancies involving Dr. Tahmid and his family:

1. Tuition Fee Benefits for Daughter: Despite being a Bangladeshi citizen, Dr. Tahmid reportedly drew benefits from the institution to cover his daughter’s university tuition fees in the United States- a facility strictly reserved for expatriate/foreign nationals.

2. Personal Travel at Institutional Expense: Allegations indicate that Dr. Tahmid’s wife, Dr. Sayeera Banu, secured an invitation letter through a foreign associate to travel to the U.S. in business class at icddr,b’s expense. While she attended a brief one-hour meeting on childhood tuberculosis at a university, she spent the rest of her extended stay with her daughter who resides there.

3. Unauthorized Fund Transfer (Money Laundering) Allegations: During the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the then-Deputy Executive Director worked remotely from the U.S. Allegations state that his salary was transferred directly to a U.S. bank account. Since he is a Bangladeshi citizen, experts view this payroll diversion to a foreign bank as a severe financial irregularity and a case of unauthorized capital flight or money laundering.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, several senior officials of the institution revealed that Dr. Tahmid relied heavily on his close friend and current Human Resources Advisor, Dr. Mosharraf Hossain, to institutionalize these anomalies. During his long tenure as the Acting Head of HR, Dr. Mosharraf allegedly altered policies and procedures to legitimize Dr. Tahmid’s administrative maneuvers. In return, even after reaching the official retirement age, Dr. Mosharraf has been strategically retained as the HR Advisor through calculated policy amendments.

When contacted regarding these serious allegations, Executive Director Dr. Tahmid Ahmed stated that keeping the Deputy Executive Director post vacant and his prolonged tenure as the head of the Nutrition Department were entirely based on the Board’s decisions and directives. He maintained that there was no conflict of interest or irregularity involved. Regarding his wife’s appointment, he argued that Dr. Sayeera Banu was given the temporary charge completely in accordance with icddr,b policies. He dismissed all the allegations against him as ‘untrue and fabricated.’

Originating as the Cholera Research Laboratory in 1960 and receiving international status in 1978, icddr,b stands today as a premier pillar of global public health. However, stakeholders fear that the current cloud of corruption and governance failure could severely jeopardize the trust of international donor agencies and partner nations.

Aggrieved scientists and officials have urgently demanded the formation of a high-level, independent probe committee comprising board members, representatives from the Government of Bangladesh, and neutral financial and administrative experts. They warned that failing to take immediate corrective measures could permanently damage the international credibility of this historic scientific institution.