By Eric Elezuo
A few days ago, Nigerians and indeed the entire world rose to celebrate a citizen of value, Chief Owolabi Salis, for becoming the first Nigerian to travel to space. But what many did not know is that the unassuming mega professional has a lot of firsts in his kitty; firsts that he hardly makes noise about.
Salis’ life has been one of transformation, transmuting from the courtroom as a ‘super lawyer’ to a politician, where he once eyed the seat of power in Lagos State, and now to an adventurer, floating at the edge of Earth’s atmosphere.
Salis, in one of the exclusive interviews he granted The Punch noted that traveling to space is just one of the many adventural firsts he has recorded in his life of impact.
“I’ve had a lot of firsts, only that I don’t make noise. I was the first Nigerian also to go to the South Pole and the North Pole within a season. The Russian people also told me I was the first Nigerian to take the nuclear icebreaker to the North Pole. I’m probably the first Nigerian to visit the two ice sheets in the world.
There are two ice sheets in the world – Antarctica and Greenland. So, I’m probably also the first Nigerian to visit Mars on Earth. There is a place in Antarctica, they call it Elephant Head; it is in Union Glacier. The condition there, we were told, is the same condition on Mars,” he revealed.
He added, “I’ve been to the North Pole, South Pole and Greenland; those are critical places in the world. I have been to space, and I have been under the ocean too. There are other Islands, a lot of small Islands surrounded by the ocean that are very spiritual.”
He had always maintained that his journeys are spiritual undertakings that are meant to elevate his spiritual outlook, and innovate more of the wonders of God.
“This mission is more than just a trip into space, it’s a spiritual journey, a call to inspire future generations…a convergence of science and spirit,” he said before liftoff.
Describing the journey as a historic first, not only for Salis, but for Nigeria, Space in Africa platform, said the Ikorodu-Lagos born explorer is a champion of community development and youth empowerment, who hopes his historic flight will ignite interest in space exploration across Africa.
It further noted, “Furthermore, Salis’ flight marks a key moment for Nigeria and Africa, demonstrating growing participation in space endeavours. His safe return sparked celebrations in Nigeria, with many hailing him as a national hero.
“The NS-33 mission patch featured green rings symbolising Earth’s horizon and the Kármán line, reflecting humanity’s quest to push boundaries. Blue Origin’s New Shepard programme continues to advance private spaceflight, offering research opportunities and citizen astronaut experiences. With 33 successful flights, the company remains a leader in reusable rocket technology and commercial space tourism. As interest in space grows across Africa, Salis’ journey may pave the way for more Africans, ushering in a new chapter of global inclusivity in space exploration.”
THE MAN, OWOLABI SALIS
Narrations obtained from about.me, presented Owolabi Salis in the following light:
Famous Attorney Owolabi M. Salis is a philanthropist, qualified public accountant, and world traveler. He graduated from Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria, Nigeria, where he majored in accounting and obtained a bachelor’s and master’s degree. The legal and administrative faculties of Ahmadu Bello Institution are housed on the Kongo campus, a federal government research institution in Nigeria’s Kaduna State. Salis is widely recognized for his extensive philanthropic initiatives and unwavering commitment to community service. He is the visionary behind establishing the Niger Delta Peoples Development organization and consistently contributes to various crucial charitable causes. Beyond his legal profession and political consulting engagements, he finds solace and fulfillment in many hobbies and personal interests. He, an acclaimed attorney, assumes the role of managing the globally renowned law firm Salis Law, headquartered in New York City. Founded in 1992, the firm moved to the vibrant heart of New York in 2002. Situated in Brooklyn, Salis Law operates as a versatile general practice law firm, where he and his associates proficiently handle various legal matters spanning multiple specialized areas of the law. These include discrete management and the nuanced realm of private wealth management.
He obtained his Legum Baccalaureus in law from the University of Lagos in Lagos, Nigeria. Public research university The University of Lagos was established in 1962 and is regarded as one of the best institutions in the world. He is governed by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, which has its main office in Washington, D.C., and is a New York State Bar Association member. Additionally, he is an American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) Certified Public Accountant. He commutes between Lagos, Nigeria, and New York, United States, as a licensed barrister at law, thanks to the Nigerian Council of Legal Education. Owolabi M. Salis is also recognized by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, where he received the ACA, the country’s equivalent of the chartered accountancy designation.
The Nigerian’s journey is a testimonial of bold ambition put to test and practice.
OWOLABI SALIS: AN OVERVIEW
1. He’s Nigeria’s first space traveller
In June 2025, Salis made history as the first Nigerian to travel to space. He was one of six passengers on Blue Origin’s NS-33 mission, a suborbital flight that crossed the Kármán line — the recognised boundary of space.
2. A seasoned lawyer and chartered accountant
Salis is both a chartered accountant and an attorney, licensed to practise in Nigeria and the United States. His diverse professional background has given him a unique perspective on governance and social equity.
3. A familiar face in Lagos politics
For over two decades, Salis has been active in Lagos State politics. He contested the governorship multiple times under different parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2003 and 2007 and the Alliance for Democracy in 2019, often championing themes of fairness and inclusion.
4. A record-breaking explorer
Beyond the courtroom and the campaign trail, Salis is an adventurer at heart. He previously became the first Black African to visit both the Arctic and Antarctic in the same season — a rare feat that reflects his appetite for pushing boundaries.
5. Author and advocate for equity
He is the author of Equitocracy, a book that argues for fairness and balance in democratic governance. Salis has described his space mission as a “spiritual journey” and hopes it will inspire young Africans to dream bigger — whether in politics, science, or exploration.
References: The Punch, Spaceinafrica.com and Businessday
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