Owolabi Salis, a Nigerian-born lawyer and politician, has made history as the first Nigerian to travel to space.

Salis was one of six passengers aboard Blue Origin’s NS-33 suborbital flight, which launched successfully from West Texas on Sunday.

The brief but historic mission, operated by Jeff Bezos’ aerospace company, lasted 10 minutes and reached an altitude of 105.2 kilometres, crossing the Kármán line, the internationally recognised boundary of space.

Joining Salis on the flight were fellow crew members Allie Kuehner, Carl Kuehner, Leland Larson, Freddie Rescigno Jr., and Jim Sitkin.

Speaking ahead of the launch, Salis described the mission as more than a personal achievement. “This mission is more than just a trip into space; it’s a spiritual journey, a call to inspire future generations,” he said. He also expressed hope that his participation would help spark interest in space exploration across Africa.

Born in Ikorodu, Lagos, Salis is a chartered accountant and licensed attorney in both Nigeria and the United States. He is also the author of Equitocracy, a book that advocates for equity and fairness in governance.

Notably, Salis previously made headlines as the first Black African to visit both the Arctic and Antarctic in the same season. He has also been active in Nigerian politics, contesting multiple elections, including the 2019 Lagos State governorship race under the Alliance for Democracy.

His milestone spaceflight marks another significant chapter in his multifaceted career and sets a new precedent for Nigerian participation in space exploration.