Dr. Olawale Sulaiman, a Nigerian-born neurosurgeon based in the United States, has become a shining example of selfless service and patriotism.

Despite holding one of the most prestigious positions in American medicine, Dr. Sulaiman chose to take a pay cut so he could regularly return to Nigeria—his country of birth—to perform free brain and spinal surgeries for underprivileged patients.

At 49, 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. Yet, every month, he dedicates up to 12 days in Nigeria providing critical healthcare services—often at no cost.

Born on Lagos Island into a large polygamous family, his early years were marked by hardship and deprivation.

“I am one of ten children born into a polygamous family. My siblings and I shared one room where we often slept on a mat on the floor,” he told CNN.

Unable to afford university tuition, his life changed at 19 when he received a Nigerian government scholarship through the Bureau for External Aid to study medicine in Bulgaria. The opportunity, he said, “opened many doors,” and ignited his lifelong mission to give back through healthcare.

“Africans who have had the privilege of receiving world-class education abroad must mobilize their network of influence to transform our continent,” he said.

Nigeria’s healthcare system continues to grapple with a severe shortage of medical professionals, according to the Global Health Workforce Alliance—a challenge Sulaiman is determined to help solve.

“My wife and I agreed that giving back was the only option for our family. We’ve never looked back,” he said.

In 2010, Dr. Sulaiman and his wife, nurse Patricia Sulaiman, founded RNZ Global, a healthcare development company that provides neurosurgical and spinal care, as well as first aid and CPR training in both Nigeria and the U.S.

They later established the RNZ Foundation in 2019, a non-profit arm offering free neurological treatment and surgeries to underprivileged Nigerians.

To pursue his humanitarian mission, Dr. Sulaiman negotiated a 25 percent pay cut with his American employer in exchange for extended leave periods to travel to Nigeria.

Through RNZ Global, he and his team have treated over 500 patients and provided preventive healthcare to more than 5,000 people across both countries.

His impact goes beyond surgeries. In 2013, in collaboration with fellow neurosurgeon Dr. Yusuf Salman and the faith-based organization MPAC, Sulaiman led 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 on people with spine-related problems,” Dr. Salman said. “Over the years, I’ve learned a lot about minimally invasive spine surgery from working closely with him.”

One of his patients, Philomena Arah, described her experience as “life-changing.” After 15 years of debilitating back pain, she underwent a laminectomy performed by Dr. Sulaiman’s team in Lagos.

“Walking was unbearable. The pain stopped me from socializing or exercising,” she said. “The surgery gave me my life back—and at a much lower cost than in the U.S.”

RNZ Global’s patient care coordinator, Blessing Holison, said the foundation focuses on patients who cannot afford specialized medical services.

“We offer free care and surgeries for those who are less privileged,” she explained.

Looking ahead, Dr. Sulaiman hopes to establish at least four neuroscience centers across Nigeria to strengthen the country’s healthcare infrastructure. His life philosophy, he says, is simple yet profound:

“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 make a difference.”