US-based lawyer and political figure Owolabi Salis has made history as the first Nigerian to travel beyond Earth’s atmosphere.
Salis was among six private passengers aboard Blue Origin’s NS-33 suborbital mission, which lifted off from West Texas on June 29, 2025.
The flight briefly carried the crew into space before returning safely to Earth.
Also on the mission were Allie Kuehner, Carl Kuehner, Leland Larson, Freddie Rescigno Jr., and Jim Sitkin.
According to Space in Africa, the spacecraft crossed the Kármán line, the internationally recognised boundary of outer space, reaching a peak altitude of 105.2 kilometres above sea level.
The roughly 10-minute flight, conducted under Blue Origin’s New Shepard programme, highlighted the growing accessibility of space travel.
Founded by Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, the initiative allows civilians to experience spaceflight without undergoing the extensive training traditionally required of professional astronauts.
Speaking ahead of the launch, Salis described the mission as a “deeply meaningful experience.”
He added, “This mission is more than just a trip into space, it’s a spiritual journey, a call to inspire future generations.”
Salis expressed hope that his achievement will spark greater interest among African youths in science, technology, and space exploration.
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A native of Ikorodu, Lagos State, Salis is both a chartered accountant and a lawyer, licensed to practise in Nigeria and the United States.
He is also the author of Equitocracy, a political work promoting an egalitarian system rooted in justice and inclusivity.
Salis is no stranger to record-setting feats.
He previously became the first Black African to visit both the Arctic and Antarctic within the same season. In politics, he has actively contested Lagos State governorship elections under different parties, including the PDP (2003, 2007), the Action Party of Nigeria (2007), and the Alliance for Democracy (2019).
Following the 2019 election, he challenged Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s victory at the tribunal, though the petition was dismissed.