US-based Nigerian Neurosurgeon, Philanthropist Dr. Olawale Sulaiman Who Flies Home Monthly To Perform Free Surgery

Dr Olawale Sulaiman is recognised as one of the best spine surgeons in the USA and is skilled in the application of minimally invasive techniques to treat spinal disorders. He also founded RNZ Global with the belief that: "There are tremendous number of brilliant Nigerians in diaspora who will significantly contrute to raising the standard of healthcare in Nigeria, based in the metro area of New Orleans who operates and renders his medical expertise in US and Nigeria."

Olawale Sulaiman, MD, PhD, is a neurosurgeon and the system chairman of the neurosurgery department at Ochsner Health System in New Orleans. 

The motivation according to him: " if I have been given all these opportunities in life and the least I can do is to give back to the society." He stated further that: “My philosophy is whether you are Nigerian, Vietnamese, an American, everybody should have access to some degree of good quality healthcare.” 


Dr Sulaiman's medical mission in Nigeria started in 2010 with his coming to the country every few months. Now, he shuttles between USA and Nigeria every month spending seven to ten days performing free surgery and saving lives. To achieve his medical mission in his country of birth, Dr Sulaiman agreed with Ochsner to give up 15% of his salary so he can have a flexible schedule to travel to Nigeria. In the last five years, Sulaiman and his team have performed surgeries for over 500 patients. They have also screened and provided preventative medicine to more than 5,000 people. Ochsner on the other hand has supported his efforts by sending supplies overseas with him. Sulaiman has developed programmes to train Nigerians back home so they can spread healthcare to those with no access. 

Here are five things to know.

1. Dr. Sulaiman received his medical degree from the Medical University in Varna, Bulgaria. He underwent fellowship training in complex nerve reconstruction at Louisiana State University in New Orleans and completed a complex spine surgery fellowship at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee. He also holds a PhD in neuroscience from University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada, and is a member of the American College of Physician Executives.

2. Dr. Sulaiman began his medical mission to Nigeria in 2010. At the outset, he would go to Nigeria every few months. Now he travels each month and spends seven days to 10 days performing surgery there.

3. In order to have the flexibility to travel, Dr. Sulaiman agreed with Ochsner to give up 15 percent of his salary.

4. In the past five years, Dr. Sulaiman and his team have performed surgeries on 500 patients as well as screened and provided preventative medicine to 5,000 people. Ochsner supports his efforts by sending supplies overseas with him.

5. Dr. Sulaiman founded RNZ Global to educate and empower Nigerians to raise the standard of healthcare.