On 29 June 2025, Lagos-born lawyer, chartered accountant, author, and spiritual leader Chief #OwolabiSalis made history — and it wasn't in a courtroom or on the campaign trail this time.

Instead, the man who once vied to lead Lagos State took off from West Texas aboard Blue Origin’s NS-33 mission, becoming the first Nigerian to travel into space. For a son of Ikorodu, it was nothing short of cosmic.

Lagos Roots & Political Dreams

Before reaching for the stars, Salis spent years rooted in the grit of Lagos politics. Born in Ikorodu, he is no stranger to Nigerian public life. He previously contested the Lagos governorship under multiple banners — from PDP in 2003, Action Party in 2007, to Alliance for Democracy in 2019. Even when he didn’t win, he made headlines by challenging election outcomes in court, reflecting his unwavering commitment to justice and reform.

His political career was marked by strong advocacy for equity, transparency, and education — values that would later define his journey into space.

The Spaceflight: NS‑33 and the Spiritual Experience

On that historic day in June, Salis boarded Blue Origin’s New Shepard (NS‑33) suborbital mission, a private spaceflight initiative backed by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. The mission launched from West Texas, reaching a staggering altitude of ~105.2 km, officially crossing the Kármán line — the edge of space.

The journey lasted about 10 minutes, offering a fleeting moment of weightlessness and a breathtaking view of Earth.

For Salis, it was more than just a thrill ride.


That out-of-body moment, he explained, reshaped his perception of life, purpose, and humanity’s place in the universe.

Beyond the Clouds: A Mission of Purpose

Salis didn’t go into space just to tick a box on his bucket list. He dedicated his flight to the victims of discrimination and civil rights violations across the world, believing the view from above “strips away ego” and fosters deep humility.

He hopes his voyage will ignite the imagination of young Africans, especially Nigerians, urging them to explore fields like space science, spiritual growth, and existential inquiry. He’s also advocating for education reforms that bring these disciplines into mainstream African curricula.

“Africa must not be left behind in this new frontier,” Salis said.

A Man of Many Firsts

Even before touching space, Salis had earned his explorer badge: he reportedly visited both the Arctic and Antarctic within a single season — a rare feat by any measure.

Professionally, he's a licensed attorney in Nigeria and the U.S., a chartered accountant, and the author of the thought-provoking book Equitocracy. He also leads a global spiritual movement, Soul Maker’s Ministry Worldwide.

What It Means for Nigeria (and Lagos)

Owolabi Salis’s journey isn't just personal; it’s symbolic. It represents the rise of a new generation of African thinkers, leaders, and dreamers—people who blend ambition with compassion, and spirituality with science.

From Ikorodu’s dusty roads to the boundless sky, his story reminds us that no dream is too far, and no background too humble.

Whether or not he ever becomes Governor of Lagos, Chief Owolabi Salis has already done what few humans — let alone Nigerians — have achieved.

He looked down on Earth, and he came back changed.

Did You Know?

• The NS‑33 crew included six civilians.

• Total flight time: ~10 minutes.

• Salis is the first Black African to go to space via a suborbital civilian launch.

• He wants schools in Nigeria to include spiritual and space education.

#NigeriansInSpace