Nahid Islam
Member of Parliament, Dhaka-11
From student organiser to national lawmaker
— a profile shaped by grassroots organising, the 2024 mass uprising, and the founding of Bangladesh's first student-led political party.
Education & Origins
B.S.S. in Sociology, University of Dhaka. Born 28 April 1998, Banasree, Dhaka. First engaged in activism as a first-year student in 2017.
2024 Movement
Central coordinator of the Students Against Discrimination movement, which grew from a quota-reform campaign into the mass uprising that reshaped Bangladeshi politics.
In Government & Parliament
Served as an adviser in the interim government (2024–25) before founding the NCP; now MP for Dhaka-11 and Opposition Chief Whip.
A generational shift in Bangladeshi politics
Nahid Islam rose to national prominence in mid-2024 as one of the most visible coordinators of the student-led protest movement against Bangladesh's civil service quota system — a campaign that expanded into a broader non-cooperation movement and ultimately the resignation of the sitting government.
“” — Nahid Islam
He went on to serve in the interim government under Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, before stepping down to launch the National Citizen Party (NCP) in February 2025 — positioning it as a centrist, reformist, youth-led alternative to Bangladesh's established parties. In February 2026 he was elected to Parliament from Dhaka-11 and named Opposition Chief Whip.
Full Biography & TimelineKey milestones
First student activism
As a first-year Dhaka University student, joins protests against a coal-fired power plant proposed near the Sundarbans.
Co-founds Gonotantrik Chhatra Shakti
Forms a student organisation ("Democratic Student Force") at the University of Dhaka with fellow activists and becomes a central leader.
Key coordinator of Students Against Discrimination
Emerges as a central coordinator of the quota-reform protest movement that grows into a nationwide non-cooperation campaign.
Detained and later released
Detained by the Detective Branch of Dhaka Metropolitan Police during the height of the protests; released after national and international attention.
Declares the one-point demand
Delivers the movement's single demand for the Prime Minister's resignation, becoming a defining public face of the uprising.
Joins the interim government
Sworn in as an adviser in the interim government led by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, following Sheikh Hasina's resignation.
Adviser, Posts, Telecom & ICT / Information & Broadcasting
Leads reform efforts including reduced mobile data taxation and the formation of the Bangladesh Film Certification Board.
Named to the TIME 100 Next list
Recognised by TIME magazine among the year's emerging global leaders.
Resigns to found the National Citizen Party
Steps down from the council of advisers and becomes founding convener of the NCP, Bangladesh's first student-led political party.
Elected MP for Dhaka-11
Wins a seat in the general election, entering the Jatiya Sangsad as a member of Parliament.
Sworn in as Opposition Chief Whip
Takes office as the 13th Opposition Chief Whip of the Jatiya Sangsad.
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