Nigerian-born lawyer and politician, Owolabi Salis, has made history as the first Nigerian to journey into space.
Salis was among six passengers aboard Blue Origin’s NS-33 mission, which launched from West Texas on Sunday.
The suborbital flight, operated by Jeff Bezos’ aerospace company, lasted 10 minutes and reached an altitude of 105.2 kilometres, crossing the Kármán line—the internationally recognised boundary of space.
Other crew members on the mission included Allie Kuehner, Carl Kuehner, Leland Larson, Freddie Rescigno Jr., and Jim Sitkin.
Ahead of the launch, Salis described the mission as more than just a personal achievement. “This mission is more than just a trip into space, it’s a spiritual journey, a call to inspire future generations,” he said.
He also expressed hope that his experience would spark greater interest in space exploration across Africa.
Born in Ikorodu, Lagos, Salis is a chartered accountant and licensed attorney in both Nigeria and the United States. He is also the author of Equitocracy, a book advocating for fairness and equity in democratic governance.
Salis previously became the first Black African to visit both the Arctic and Antarctic in the same season.
In Nigeria, he is a well-known political figure, having contested several elections, including a run for Lagos State Governor under the Alliance for Democracy in 2019.
