Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus Returns to Grameen Roots After Leading Bangladesh’s Transition

Following an 18-month chapter as the architect of Bangladesh’s democratic transition, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus has officially returned to his lifelong mission of social entrepreneurship.

The 85-year-old pioneer of microfinance arrived at the Yunus Centre in Mirpur on Sunday morning, where he was greeted with flower garlands and a standing ovation from longtime colleagues. The return marks the end of his tenure as the Chief Adviser of the Interim Government—a role he assumed during one of the most turbulent periods in the nation’s history.

From Statehouse to Social Business

Yunus’s first day back was a mix of celebration and strategy. According to updates shared on his official social media, he immediately stepped back into his role as a global advocate for the “Three Zeros” (zero net carbon emission, zero wealth concentration, and zero unemployment).

• Reviewing the Hiatus: Yunus met with managing directors and advisers from various Grameen organizations to revive initiatives that were paused during his time in public office.
• A Change of Residence: After months of living in the state’s official residence, Yunus is scheduled to move back to his private home in Gulshan by the end of February.

The Legacy of the Interim Government

Yunus stepped into power on August 8, 2024, following a massive student-led uprising that ended the 15-year rule of the Awami League. Over the next year and a half, his administration was tasked with stabilizing the economy and overseeing the return to a fair electoral process.

“Today, the interim government is stepping down,” Yunus said in a poignant farewell broadcast. “But let the practice of democracy, freedom of speech, and fundamental rights that have begun not be halted.”

A Historic Handover

The transition concluded following the national elections on February 12, 2026, which saw a landslide victory for the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

The subsequent inauguration of Tarique Rahman as Prime Minister marks a significant demographic shift in the country’s leadership; Rahman is the first male to hold the office of Prime Minister in Bangladesh in 35 years, following decades of leadership dominated by Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia.

Timeline: The Yunus Transition