Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has resumed his responsibilities at the Yunus Centre, marking his return to civil society work after completing nearly a year and a half as chief adviser of Bangladesh’s interim government.

The 85-year-old arrived at the organisation’s office in Mirpur on Sunday morning, where colleagues greeted him warmly. Images and a message shared on social media captured the moment, noting his comeback after an 18-month break devoted to leading the transitional administration.

Yunus interacted with team members and later sat down with managing directors and senior advisers from Grameen entities and the Yunus Centre to assess initiatives that had been on hold during his time in office. Discussions reportedly focused on restarting programmes and setting fresh priorities for the months ahead.

He is also expected to move back to his residence in Gulshan, Dhaka, later this month, having stayed at the official residence allotted to him while heading the interim setup.

Yunus stepped aside on February 16, shortly after a newly elected government was formed under the 13th Jatiya Sangsad. He had assumed leadership of the caretaker administration on August 8, 2024, in the aftermath of a student-led uprising that led to the ouster of the Awami League government on August 5, 2024.

In a televised farewell address, Yunus urged citizens to safeguard democratic values, freedom of expression and fundamental rights that, in his view, had regained momentum during the transition.

He had returned to Bangladesh from self-imposed exile following the political upheaval that removed then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from power. Reflecting on that turning point, Yunus described it as a moment of liberation celebrated by Bangladeshis at home and abroad.

After overseeing the electoral process, he formally handed over charge following national polls held on February 12. He extended congratulations to the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and its leader Tarique Rahman, calling their mandate decisive. Rahman’s elevation marks a historic shift, as he becomes the country’s first male Prime Minister in over three decades.

With his return to the Yunus Centre, Yunus appears set to refocus on social entrepreneurship and poverty alleviation — the work that first brought him global recognition.