Vice Admiral Sarwar Jahan Nizam, ndu, psc was born into a respectable and famous Muslim family in Anwara of Chittagong district in 1952. Admiral Nizam joined the erstwhile Pakistan Navy as an officer cadet in 1970. On completion of six months training at the Pakistan Military Academy (Kakul), he joined the Pakistan Naval Academy in Karachi with the 70/A Batch for further training. Later, Admiral Nizam was commissioned in Executive Branch of Bangladesh Navy in 1973.

 Admiral Nizam attended various courses both home and abroad. He graduated from Defence Services Command & Staff College Mirpur, Dhaka in 1986. He attended Long (Communication) Specialization Course from Royal Navy and Senior Executive Course from Asia Pacific Centre for Securities Studies, USA. He also graduated from National Defence University, Beijing, China in the year of 1996.

 During his long and illustrious carrier in Bangladesh Navy, Admiral Nizam commanded warships and naval vessels of all size. He successfully commanded the largest and most powerful warship of Bangladesh Navy, a frigate BNS UMAR FAROOQ for three years.

 As one of the most distinguished and respected officers of Bangladesh Navy, Vice Admiral Nizam also held different top command positions and commanded all major establishments of Bangladesh Navy including that of the Flotilla Commander and Commodore Commanding Chittagong (COMCHIT). Besides, he also served as Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Operations) and Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Personnel) in Naval Headquarters.

From 2000 to 2002, Admiral Nizam held the position of Defence Adviser of the Bangladesh High Commission in Colombo, Sri Lanka. He was appointed as Director General of Bangladesh Coast Guard on 22 March 2005 under the Ministry of Home Affairs. Through his prudent vision he also carried out different massive development projects for the overall improvement of the Coast Guard. He was promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral on 21 June 2006. Admiral Nizam was appointed as Chief of the Naval Staff of Bangladesh Navy on 10 February 2007. He was elevated to the rank of Vice Admiral on 24 May 2007.

 Admiral Nizam is married to Begum Muneera Nizam and has a small closely-knit family of one daughter. Admiral Nizam is a fan of Badminton, Tennis and Squash. He is an enthusiastic golfer too. He loves to pass his leisure time in reading various periodicals and magazines.