Owolabi Salis, a Nigerian lawyer, financial consultant, and spiritual thinker, has become the first Nigerian to travel to space, joining Blue Origin’s NS-33 mission.
In a recent interview, Salis described his experience as more of a spiritual quest than a scientific one.
According to Salis, he paid an estimated \$2 million for the journey and reached out to Blue Origin with the intent of conducting research on spirituality. After receiving approval from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and undergoing intensive training, his flight, initially delayed due to high winds, successfully launched on June 29.
During the flight, Salis experienced weightlessness for three minutes and was struck by the sight of Earth suspended in space, which he described as confirming his belief in a divine force beyond the interpretations of religious texts. He referred to Earth as “Planet 3” and viewed the trip as a way to explore deeper truths about the soul and the universe.
Having already visited more than 120 countries and even the North and South Poles, Salis called these trips spiritual pilgrimages. He plans to explore isolated volcanic islands next, driven by their natural beauty and spiritual significance. Though retired, he funds these expeditions through savings and his past legal career in New York.
Salis has also made multiple attempts to become Lagos State governor and remains vocal about reforming Nigeria’s political system. He advocates for local policing and a new model of leadership he terms “equitocracy.” Encouraged by his experience, Salis is now recommending other Nigerians for future Blue Origin missions.
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First Nigerian in Space: I Felt Like My Soul Was Leaving My Body – Salis
We were all flying and orbiting like birds. We could see the planet suspended through the window.
Owolabi Salis, Citizen Astronaut/US-Based Lawyer and Politician pic.twitter.com/412mpbeZoy— ARISE NEWS (@ARISEtv) July 4, 2025