Owolabi Salis, a Nigerian-born lawyer and politician, has made history as the first Nigerian to travel to space. On June 29, 2025, Salis flew aboard Blue Origin’s NS-33 mission, a suborbital flight that took him and five other passengers beyond the Kármán line, the internationally recognized boundary of space, reaching a peak altitude of 105.2 kilometers.

*About Owolabi Salis:*

- *Background*: Born in Ikorodu, Lagos, Salis is a chartered accountant and attorney with licenses to practice in both Nigeria and the United States.

- *Author*: He wrote "Equitocracy," a book proposing a democratic system rooted in fairness and equity across diverse communities.

- *Adventure enthusiast*: Salis was the first Black African to visit both the Arctic and Antarctic within the same season.

- *Politics*: He has been involved in Lagos politics, seeking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship ticket in 2003 and 2007, and running under the Action Party of Nigeria in 2007 ¹ ².

*The NS-33 Mission:*

- *Launch*: The mission launched from West Texas on June 29, 2025, carrying six passengers, including Salis, Allie Kuehner, Carl Kuehner, Leland Larson, Freddie Rescigno Jr., and Jim Sitkin.

- *Flight duration*: The 10-minute suborbital flight reached a peak altitude of 105.2 kilometers, giving the crew a breathtaking view of Earth and a life-changing experience of weightlessness.

- *Significance*: Salis' journey marks a significant milestone for Nigeria and Africa, demonstrating growing participation in space endeavors ³ ⁴.

*Salis' Reflections:*

- *Spiritual journey*: Before liftoff, Salis described the mission as "more than just a trip into space, it’s a spiritual journey, a call to inspire future generations."

- *Inspiring interest in space exploration*: He hopes his journey will inspire interest in space exploration across Africa ⁵.