In a historic leap that has ignited national pride and global applause, Owolabi Salis, a US-based Nigerian lawyer, chartered accountant, and political figure, has become the first Nigerian to travel into space, joining the elite ranks of citizen astronauts.
Salis was one of six space tourists aboard Blue Origin’s NS-33 mission, which successfully launched from West Texas on June 29, 2025, aboard the New Shepard spacecraft. The 10-minute suborbital flight crossed the Kármán line — the internationally accepted boundary of space — reaching an altitude of 105.2 kilometers.
“This mission is more than just a trip into space, it’s a spiritual journey,” Salis said ahead of liftoff. “A call to inspire future generations.”
His fellow crewmates included Allie Kuehner, Carl Kuehner, Leland Larson, Freddie Rescigno Jr., and Jim Sitkin — all part of Blue Origin’s continuing effort to democratize space travel.
Born in Ikorodu, Lagos, Salis’ journey from Nigerian soil to the edge of space is not just a personal milestone but a powerful symbol of Africa’s emerging presence in the global space narrative. His voyage represents a step toward fulfilling a dream that many Africans — scientists, students, and visionaries — have long nurtured: a future where Africans don’t just watch the stars, but reach for them.
Already an adventurer, Salis previously became the first Black African to visit both the Arctic and Antarctic in the same season. Now, with his spaceflight, he’s expanded that horizon — proving that nationality, race, or background need not be a barrier to cosmic exploration.
Licensed to practice law in both Nigeria and the United States, Salis is also the author of Equitocracy, a treatise on democratic reform rooted in fairness and inclusion. He has made his mark in Nigerian politics, having vied for the governorship of Lagos under multiple political platforms — including the PDP, Action Party, and Alliance for Democracy.
His 2019 governorship bid saw him challenge the results of the election won by Babajide Sanwo-Olu, though the tribunal ultimately upheld Sanwo-Olu’s victory.
Now, as he joins the ranks of private astronauts, Salis hopes his achievement will inspire a new wave of African interest in science, technology, and space exploration.
“Let this be a signal to young Africans: the sky is not the limit — space is.”
Salis’ flight is a monumental first for Nigeria and a powerful reminder that space exploration is no longer a distant dream for Africans — it’s a frontier within reach.