US-Based Neurosurgeon, Dr. Olawale Sulaiman takes a pay cut in the US to perform free brain and spine surgeries for underprivileged patients in Nigeria.
Nigerian-born neurosurgeon based in the United States, Dr. Olawale Sulaiman, has drawn international admiration for his extraordinary act of service — taking a pay cut to return home regularly and perform free brain and spinal surgeries for those who cannot afford them.
At 49, Sulaiman holds several prominent roles in the United States: Professor of Neurosurgery and Spinal Surgery, and Chairman of the Neurosurgery Department at the Ochsner Neuroscience Institute in New Orleans, Louisiana. Yet, every month, he spends nearly two weeks in Nigeria providing free medical care to the poor and underserved.
His journey from poverty to prominence is a story of resilience. Born on Lagos Island into a large polygamous family, Sulaiman recalled sharing a single room with nine siblings and sleeping on mats. His life changed at 19 when he received a Nigerian government scholarship to study medicine in Bulgaria — a turning point that inspired his lifelong mission to give back.
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“My wife and I agreed that giving back was the only option for our family,” Sulaiman said. “Africans who have had the privilege of getting outstanding training abroad must use their influence to transform our continent.”
To fulfill that vision, Sulaiman negotiated a 25% pay cut with his American employer in exchange for extended leave, allowing him to return to Nigeria frequently. In 2010, he and his wife, Patricia Sulaiman, a nurse, founded RNZ Global, a healthcare organization that provides neurosurgical services and medical training in both Nigeria and the U.S.
Their non-profit arm, the RNZ Foundation, launched in 2019, has offered free neurological treatment to hundreds of patients. Through both ventures, Sulaiman’s team has treated more than 500 patients and provided preventive healthcare to over 5,000 people across both nations.
His impact extends beyond individual surgeries. In 2013, alongside fellow neurosurgeon Dr. Yusuf Salman and faith-based partners, Sulaiman led a free spinal surgery program in Nigeria’s Kwara State. “He came with implants and equipment from the U.S. so we could operate for free,” Dr. Salman recalled.
For patients like Philomena Arah, who regained mobility after a free spinal procedure, Sulaiman’s work has been life-changing. “The surgery gave me my life back,” she said.
Looking ahead, Sulaiman plans to establish at least four neuroscience centers across Nigeria. “Happiness doesn’t come from what you get, but from what you give,” he said. “You don’t need to be a millionaire to give.”
