icddr,b Faces Internal Questions Over Leadership, Transparency and Institutional Governance

The International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), one of the world’s leading public health research institutions, is facing internal concerns over governance and administrative practices, with allegations emerging against its Executive Director, Dr Tahmid Ahmed, regarding concentration of authority, favouritism, conflict of interest and financial irregularities.

Several current and former officials and scientists of the organisation, speaking on condition of anonymity, alleged that decision-making processes under Dr Tahmid’s leadership have become increasingly centralised, raising concerns among researchers and employees about transparency, institutional independence and adherence to established policies.

Dr Tahmid Ahmed, however, has rejected the allegations, describing them as “false and misleading”. He said all decisions taken during his tenure followed icddr,b’s policies and were approved through the appropriate institutional processes.

Dr Tahmid assumed office as the Executive Director of icddr,b on March 1, 2021, becoming the first Bangladeshi to lead the organisation in its nearly six-decade history. His appointment was initially welcomed by many employees and stakeholders as a milestone for a globally recognised Bangladeshi institution.

However, officials familiar with internal developments said concerns began to emerge over leadership practices after his appointment.

Vacant deputy executive director position raises questions

One of the key issues raised by officials is the prolonged vacancy of the Deputy Executive Director position, a senior leadership role within the organisation.

According to internal sources, the post remained vacant for nearly four years despite its importance in overseeing administrative, financial, human resources, research management and operational matters.

During this period, Dr Tahmid, while serving as Executive Director, also continued as the acting Senior Director of the Nutrition and Clinical Services Division for about three years and nine months.

Officials questioned whether holding both positions simultaneously created excessive concentration of authority in one individual.

They said the Executive Director’s role and the leadership of one of the institution’s major scientific divisions traditionally require separate oversight to ensure institutional checks and balances.

Responding to the allegation, Dr Tahmid said the Deputy Executive Director position remained vacant based on decisions of the icddr,b Board and that the appointment process was underway.

Regarding his continuation as acting Senior Director of the Nutrition Division, he said there was no conflict of interest and that he remained in the position following the Board’s decision.

Leadership of multiple divisions under scrutiny

Questions were also raised regarding the Health Systems and Population Studies Division.

After the departure of its Senior Director before the completion of his tenure, Dr Tahmid reportedly assumed responsibility as acting Senior Director of the division, despite the presence of other senior scientists within the organisation.

Some officials alleged that the decision reflected a pattern of keeping key leadership responsibilities within the Executive Director’s control.

They also claimed that dissatisfaction over leadership style and workplace environment contributed to the departure of some senior officials.

Appointment of spouse sparks conflict-of-interest debate

Another issue that drew criticism was the appointment of Dr Tahmid’s wife, Dr Sayeera Banu, as acting Senior Director of the Infectious Diseases Division following the sudden death of the division’s previous head.

Officials clarified that they were not questioning Dr Sayeera Banu’s scientific credentials but raised concerns about a possible conflict of interest arising from a spouse holding a senior executive position under the leadership of the Executive Director.

Dr Tahmid acknowledged that Dr Sayeera Banu served in the position temporarily but said the appointment was made in accordance with institutional rules and procedures.

He said no violation of policy took place.

Allegations over promotions and the creation of new positions

Several employees also alleged irregularities in the promotion process involving three departments — Legal, Research Administration and Communications.

According to the allegations, new higher-level positions were created and subsequently filled by preferred candidates before previous positions were abolished.

Employees claimed such practices undermined icddr,b’s established promotion framework, particularly for non-scientific staff, where competitive evaluation and structured career progression systems are followed.

They alleged that creating positions for selected individuals weakened institutional procedures and created perceptions of favouritism.

Financial and benefit-related allegations

The allegations against Dr Tahmid also include claims relating to financial benefits and official travel.

One allegation concerns educational benefits reportedly provided for his daughter’s studies in the United States.

Officials alleged that a benefit normally reserved for foreign nationals was extended to Dr Tahmid, who is a Bangladeshi citizen.

They questioned whether special consideration was made in his case, as other Bangladeshi employees holding senior international positions allegedly did not receive similar benefits.

Another allegation relates to an overseas trip by Dr Tahmid’s wife.

According to sources, Dr Sayeera Banu obtained an invitation from an international collaborator and travelled to the United States on icddr,b expenses to attend a short academic engagement on childhood tuberculosis.

Officials alleged that she stayed in the US for additional days while her daughter was studying there, raising questions about whether a personal visit was combined with an official assignment.

Dr Tahmid denied any wrongdoing and said all official travel arrangements followed institutional rules.

A further allegation concerns salary payment arrangement involving a former Deputy Executive Director during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Sources alleged that the official, while working remotely from the United States, received salary payments through a US bank account despite being a Bangladeshi citizen.

Officials questioned whether such an arrangement complied with financial regulations.

Role of HR adviser questioned

Officials also raised questions over the continued involvement of Dr Mosharraf Hossain, a close associate of Dr Tahmid, in human resources matters.

They alleged that Dr Mosharraf played a key role in changing institutional procedures and policies that benefited certain individuals.

Sources claimed that despite reaching the normal retirement age, Dr Mosharraf continued working as an HR adviser following changes in relevant policies and procedures.

However, no independent verification of these allegations could be obtained.

Concerns over icddr,b’s global reputation

Established in 1960 as the Cholera Research Laboratory and later recognised as an international institution in 1978, icddr,b has earned global recognition for pioneering research in diarrhoeal disease treatment, including the development and expansion of oral rehydration therapy (ORS).

Over the decades, the institution has expanded its research areas to include maternal and child health, nutrition, infectious diseases and climate-related health risks.

Researchers and officials fear that governance controversies could affect the institution’s international reputation unless concerns are addressed through transparent mechanisms.

Several senior officials called for an independent review involving Board members, government representatives and external experts to examine the allegations.

Executive Director rejects the allegations

Speaking to Business Times, Dr Tahmid Ahmed denied all allegations and said there had been no violation of institutional policies.

He said the Deputy Executive Director position was vacant because of Board-level decisions, not because of any attempt to centralise power.

Regarding his dual responsibility as Executive Director and acting Senior Director of the Nutrition Division, he said the Board had allowed him to continue in the role.

On his wife’s appointment as acting Senior Director of the Infectious Diseases Division, he said it was a temporary arrangement made according to icddr,b rules.

Dr Tahmid maintained that the allegations were “untrue and based on misconceptions”