Dr. Olawale Sulaiman, a Nigerian-born neurosurgeon based in the United States, has earned admiration for his selfless commitment to giving back to his homeland by performing free brain and spinal surgeries for underprivileged Nigerians.
At 49, Dr. Sulaiman serves as a professor of neurosurgery and spinal surgery, and chairman of the neurosurgery department and back and spine center at the Ochsner Neuroscience Institute in New Orleans, Louisiana. Despite his high-ranking position, he voluntarily took a 25 percent pay cut to spend up to 12 days each month in Nigeria, where he provides free medical services.
Born on Lagos Island into a large polygamous family, Dr. Sulaiman’s journey from humble beginnings to global recognition reflects resilience and purpose. “I am one of 10 children born into a polygamous family. My siblings and I shared one room where we often slept on mats,” he told CNN.
His life took a turn at 19 when he received a Nigerian government scholarship to study medicine in Bulgaria — an opportunity that sparked his passion for humanitarian work. “Africans who have had the privilege of getting outstanding training abroad must mobilize their network of influence to transform our continent,” he said.
Driven by this vision, Dr. Sulaiman and his wife, nurse Patricia Sulaiman, founded RNZ Global in 2010 — a healthcare development company that provides neurosurgical and spinal procedures, as well as CPR and first-aid training in Nigeria and the U.S. In 2019, they launched the RNZ Foundation, a non-profit arm offering free neurological treatment to low-income patients.
Through RNZ Global, the couple and their medical team have treated over 500 patients and provided preventive healthcare to more than 5,000 individuals. Their outreach extends across Nigeria and the United States.
In 2013, Dr. Sulaiman collaborated with neurosurgeon Dr. Yusuf Salman and the Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC) to conduct free spinal surgeries for disadvantaged patients in Kwara State. “He came with implants and equipment from the U.S. so we could operate for free,” Dr. Salman recalled, describing Sulaiman as a mentor in minimally invasive spine surgery.
Patients also speak of life-changing experiences. One beneficiary, Philomena Arah, said she regained her mobility after a free spinal surgery performed by Sulaiman’s team in Lagos. “Walking was unbearable before the surgery. It gave me my life back,” she said.
Blessing Holison, RNZ Global’s patient care coordinator, emphasized that the foundation prioritizes helping those who cannot afford the high costs of specialized care. “We offer free services and surgery for those who are less privileged,” she said.
Looking ahead, Dr. Sulaiman hopes to establish four neuroscience centers across Nigeria to strengthen healthcare delivery and train local professionals. His guiding principle remains simple:
“Happiness doesn’t come from what you get, but from what you give. There is always room to give — you don’t need to be a millionaire to give.”
