US-based Nigerian lawyer Owolabi Salis made history as the first Nigerian to travel to space, aboard Blue Origin’s NS-33 suborbital mission launched from West Texas on June 29.
The 10-minute flight, part of Jeff Bezos’ New Shepard programme, carried Salis and five other civilian astronauts—Allie Kuehner, Carl Kuehner, Leland Larson, Freddie Rescigno Jr., and Jim Sitkin—past the Kármán line, reaching 105.2 kilometers.
Salis, a native of Ikorodu, Lagos, described the journey as a “spiritual” experience meant to inspire African youth in science and technology. He is a chartered accountant, attorney, and author of Equitocracy, advocating for equitable democracy.
Previously, Salis became the first Black African to visit both the Arctic and Antarctic in one season. He has also contested Lagos gubernatorial elections in 2003, 2007, and 2019, challenging the 2019 results unsuccessfully.
Blue Origin’s NS-33 mission, its 13th human spaceflight, underscores the growing accessibility of space travel for civilians, with Salis’ achievement marking a milestone for Nigeria and Africa in global space exploration.
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