US Based Lawyer Becomes First Nigerian to Travel to Space

History was made on Sunday, June 29, as Chief Owolabi Salis, a US-based Nigerian lawyer and chartered accountant, became the first Nigerian to travel to space, flying aboard Blue Origin’s NS-33 suborbital space mission.

The flight, launched from West Texas, was operated by Jeff Bezos’ aerospace company, Blue Origin, and marked the company’s 13th human spaceflight.

Also, the mission carried six passengers and reached an altitude of 105.2 km (345,044 feet), soaring past the Kármán line—the internationally recognized boundary of space.

The entire experience lasted just over 10 minutes, offering passengers the awe-inspiring view of Earth from space and a brief experience of weightlessness.

Joining Chief Salis on the mission were:

– Allie Kuehner

– Carl Kuehner

– Leland Larson

– Freddie Rescigno Jr.

– Jim Sitkin

Speaking ahead of the launch, Salis described his space adventure as “a convergence of science and spirit,” emphasizing the symbolic nature of the mission.

“This mission is more than just a trip into space; it’s a spiritual journey, a call to inspire future generations,” he said.

Salis, a native of Ikorodu in Lagos State, is not new to bold undertakings. In fact, he previously became the first Black African to visit both the Arctic and Antarctic in the same season.

Professionally, he is licensed to practice law in both Nigeria and the United States, and has authored Equitocracy, a book proposing a system of governance built on fairness and equity.

Beyond his career in law and finance, Salis is known in Nigerian political circles.

He contested the 2019 Lagos State gubernatorial election under the Alliance for Democracy (AD) and later challenged Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s victory in court—though the election tribunal ultimately ruled against him.

Salis is also passionate about community development and youth empowerment, and he hopes his spaceflight will inspire a new generation of African explorers, scientists, and thinkers.

“I hope this achievement sparks curiosity and ambition across Africa. Space is not just for the privileged—it belongs to all of humanity,” Salis stated.

As Africa enters a new era of technological advancement, Chief Owolabi Salis’ journey into space signals a bold step toward inclusion in the global space race—and a reminder that no dream is too distant.

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