Owolabi M. Salis, a US-based lawyer, philanthropist, and native of Ikorodu, Lagos State, has made history as the first Nigerian to travel beyond Earth’s atmosphere. He was one of six private astronauts aboard Blue Origin’s NS-23 suborbital mission, which launched from the company’s facility in West Texas on June 29, 2025.
The mission, operated by Jeff Bezos’ aerospace company, marked another milestone in the commercialization of space travel. Salis, who holds qualifications as both a public accountant and a dual-licensed attorney, is widely admired for his global perspective and philanthropic leadership. His participation in the flight highlights Africa’s emerging presence in the global conversation on space, innovation, and citizen exploration.
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In an exclusive interview that was for him, Salis reflected on the experience, describing it as not only scientific but deeply spiritual. “The moment we crossed the Kármán line, I felt like my soul left my body. I was floating like a bird,” he said.
He recalled unstrapping himself from his seat mid-flight and being suspended weightlessly alongside the other astronauts as the spacecraft briefly hovered above the Earth. “Everyone just floated. It was silent, it was sacred. Then I looked out and saw our planet, suspended like a mote of dust. It humbles you.”
Salis said he applied to join the Blue Origin mission after completing a series of personal expeditions, including to the South Pole and Union Glacier in Antarctica, a site often referred to as “Mars on Earth.” His passion for discovering and researching spiritual energy spots across the world, he said, drove his decision to pursue space travel.
Though bound by a non-disclosure agreement regarding the cost of the trip, Salis said the experience—and the high-level security, logistics, and technical expertise involved—made the investment worthwhile. “You’re dealing with a team of top professionals, many with PhDs. From El Paso to Van Horn, the whole journey is handled with military precision and grace.”
He also issued a bold recommendation: that world leaders, particularly those involved in global conflict, be flown into space, even for just two days. “They will return humbled. Earth is too small for the kind of division and violence we witness daily.”
Beyond his professional achievements and political pursuits, Owolabi M. Salis has led a life of service and distinction. He is a philanthropist, certified public accountant, and globally recognized legal expert. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria—one of Nigeria’s foremost federal research institutions—studying on the prestigious Kongo campus, which houses the university’s legal and administrative faculties.
Salis later obtained his Legum Baccalaureus (LL.B.) in law from the University of Lagos, another of Nigeria’s top-ranking public universities, established in 1962. He is a member of the New York State Bar Association, a Certified Public Accountant with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), and is governed by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). In Nigeria, he is licensed by the Nigerian Council of Legal Education and is a distinguished member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), where he earned his ACA designation.
He is the founder of Salis Law, a renowned general practice law firm based in Brooklyn, New York. Established in 1992 and relocated to the heart of New York in 2002, the firm handles a broad spectrum of legal matters, including discrete management and private wealth law. Salis commutes regularly between Lagos and New York, balancing a transcontinental career in law, business, and policy consulting.
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In addition to his legal and financial work, Salis is the founder of the Niger Delta Peoples Development Organization, a platform that supports sustainable development and justice in oil-producing regions of Nigeria. He has also contributed to numerous humanitarian and social initiatives across Africa and beyond.
Reflecting on the broader lessons from space, Salis said the journey altered his understanding of humanity and existence. “When you see Earth from space, it changes you. The fighting, the power struggles, the borders—they all seem so small. There is order in the universe. Something or someone is keeping it. We just have to find the humility to acknowledge that.”
A former governorship and presidential aspirant, Salis also called for structural reforms in Nigeria’s political system. He advocated for a “majority-minority balance” that enables each state to present competent candidates evaluated nationally to reduce marginalisation and electoral manipulation. “The way forward is fairness through proportional representation. The system we have now suppresses voices and encourages conflict.”
As for what’s next, Salis says he’s not done exploring. With over 100 countries already visited, he plans to explore smaller island nations and spiritual landmarks across the globe. But he also hopes that more people will rediscover the beauty of Nigeria itself.
“Pilgrimage isn’t limited to any one region. The Almighty put beauty in every corner of the Earth—including here in Nigeria. We must tell our own stories, showcase our wonders, and take our rightful place in the world.”
With this historic voyage, Owolabi Salis not only made history for Nigeria—he opened a new chapter of possibility for African participation in the future of space, science, and spiritual leadership.
