Dr. Olawale Sulaiman, a Nigerian-born neurosurgeon based in the United States, has become a global symbol of compassion and patriotism after choosing to take a 25% pay cut from his high-profile medical career to return home regularly and perform free brain and spinal surgeries for underprivileged Nigerians.
At 49, Dr. Sulaiman is a Professor of Neurosurgery and Spinal Surgery, and Chairman of the Neurosurgery Department at the Ochsner Neuroscience Institute in New Orleans, Louisiana. Despite his demanding schedule, he spends up to 12 days every month in Nigeria providing critical, life-saving care — often entirely free of charge.
“Happiness doesn’t come from what you get, but from what you give. You don’t need to be a millionaire to give,” he said.
Born on Lagos Island into a large polygamous family of modest means, Sulaiman’s journey began with adversity. He shared a single room with his nine siblings, often sleeping on the floor. His fortunes changed at 19 when he won a Nigerian government scholarship to study medicine in Bulgaria — a turning point that ignited his lifelong commitment to giving back.
“Africans who have had the privilege of getting world-class training abroad must mobilize their influence to transform our continent,” he told CNN.
In 2010, Sulaiman and his wife, Patricia, a nurse, founded RNZ Global, a healthcare development company offering neurosurgical and spinal procedures, first aid, and CPR training in Nigeria and the US. Nine years later, they launched the RNZ Foundation, a non-profit providing free neurosurgical care to Nigerians who cannot afford treatment.
Through these initiatives, Dr. Sulaiman and his team have treated more than 500 patients and offered preventive medical care to over 5,000 people across both countries.
His humanitarian work also includes a 2013 collaboration in Kwara State with fellow neurosurgeon Dr. Yusuf Salman and the Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC), where they performed dozens of free spinal surgeries.
“He brought implants and equipment from the U.S. so we could operate on people with spine-related problems at no cost,” Dr. Salman recalled.
Patients describe his impact as life-changing. Philomena Arah, who suffered from chronic back pain for over 15 years, said the surgery performed by Dr. Sulaiman’s team in Lagos “gave her life back.”
“Walking was unbearable. I couldn’t socialize or exercise. After the surgery, I was reborn,” she said.
Despite his global success, Dr. Sulaiman’s focus remains on home. His long-term vision is to establish four neuroscience centers across Nigeria, bridging the gap in specialist care and training.
“My wife and I agreed that giving back was the only option for our family. We’ve never looked back,” he said.
Through his rare blend of skill, sacrifice, and service, Dr. Olawale Sulaiman stands as proof that patriotism isn’t measured by proximity — but by purpose.
