Shama Obaid’s NBIU Role Stirs Cover-Up Claims
The appointment of BNP leader Shama Obaid Islam as chairman and her husband, Mustafizur Shovon Islam, as co-chairman of the North Bengal International University (NBIU) Board of Trustees has sparked widespread criticism. Observers allege the move aims to suppress corruption allegations against the university’s founder and former vice-chancellor, Professor Dr. Abdul Khaleque, an Awami League advisory council member.
Since NBIU’s inception in 2013, Dr. Khaleque has faced accusations of power abuse and nepotism. He served as vice-chancellor from January 2014 to 2017 and from 2018 to January 2022. During this period, his wife, Rasheda Khaleque, was chairman, his daughters Farjana Nikkon (co-chairman) and Farhana Shaon and Farah Deena Gunjun (members), son Faisal Khalid (member), and niece-in-law Shama Obaid (member) held trustee roles.
Allegations against Dr. Khaleque include misrepresenting his residence as a university office to claim Tk 40,000 monthly rent, land fraud for a permanent campus, diverting FDR and savings certificate profits, using a university vehicle for personal purposes, drawing a vice-chancellor’s honorarium as an adviser, and employing university staff for personal tasks.
Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Ansar Uddin told The Daily Campus, “No inquiry committee has been formed against Dr. Khaleque, and he’s not directly involved with NBIU now. His family remains on the board due to the high costs of government approval.” Registrar Dr. Mohammad Azibur Rahman noted that Dr. Bidhan Chandra Das was appointed vice-chancellor on July 11, 2023, but resigned on July 1, 2024, with Ansar Uddin assuming the acting role.
Critics argue that Shama Obaid’s appointment on August 5, 2025, amid political shifts following student protests, is a bid to shield Khaleque’s alleged corruption. Efforts to contact Khaleque and Shama Obaid were unsuccessful. Analysts warn that such political appointments could stall investigations into past irregularities and foster further misconduct, threatening the integrity of private universities in Bangladesh.
