In a groundbreaking milestone for Nigeria and the African continent, Chief Owolabi Salis has etched his name into the annals of history as the first Nigerian to travel into space. The historic feat was achieved on June 29, 2025, when Chief Salis soared aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard NS-33 mission.
The suborbital flight, which launched from Blue Origin’s West Texas facility, reached an altitude of approximately 105.2 kilometers — surpassing the internationally recognized Kármán line, the boundary of space set at 100 kilometers above Earth’s surface.
With this achievement, Chief Salis joins the elite ranks of global space travelers and becomes a symbol of national pride for Nigeria. While some experts continue to debate whether suborbital flights constitute full-fledged space travel, international standards—including those recognized by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI)—affirm that crossing the Kármán line qualifies as spaceflight.
No previously recorded Nigerian has accomplished such a feat, and multiple credible sources confirm Salis’ status as a pioneer in this regard.
His journey aboard NS-33 marks a new chapter in Nigeria’s aspirations in science, technology, and space exploration, inspiring future generations to reach for the stars.