The Nigerian government is celebrating a groundbreaking achievement in space exploration as Chief Owolabi Salis becomes the first person of Nigerian birth to travel to space. The National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) has extended its congratulations, hailing the milestone as a significant leap forward in Nigeria’s burgeoning space ambitions.
Dr. Felix Ale, Director of Media and Corporate Communications at NASRDA, stated on Tuesday that the Chief Salis’s spaceflight was privately funded. This remarkable feat, he noted, “demonstrates the growing interest of Nigerians in participating in global scientific, exploratory, tourism, and commercial space activities.”
Chief Salis’s journey was aboard Blue Origin’s NS-33 mission, which lifted off from West Texas on June 29, 2025. The 10-minute suborbital flight took the crew beyond the Kármán line (100 km / 62 miles), reaching a peak altitude of 105.2 kilometers, offering breathtaking views of Earth and an experience of weightlessness. Salis, a US-based lawyer and politician from Ikorodu, Lagos, described the experience as “extremely humbling, stupefying, and emotionally overwhelming.” He expressed hopes that his journey, which he also called a “spiritual journey,” would inspire greater interest in space exploration across Africa.
“This achievement highlights new opportunities for private sector engagement in Nigeria’s space programme and shines international attention on the nation’s growing capabilities,” Ale added.
According to NASRDA, Chief Salis’s successful mission represents one of several pathways for Nigerian participation in space, complementing the agency’s ongoing efforts to broaden access to space exploration for its citizens. NASRDA confirmed that it was notified about the flight through its partner organization, the Space Research and Exploration Agency (SERA), prior to the mission.
While celebrating Chief Salis’s privately funded endeavor, NASRDA clarified that its collaborative mission with SERA, announced in June 2024, remains on track for an upcoming Blue Origin flight. Unlike Chief Salis’s mission, this joint NASRDA-SERA program is specifically designed to offer wider public access. The program will feature a merit-based selection process for Nigerian citizens aged 18 and above, enabling them to participate in astronaut training and research development. It will also incorporate public input on the research areas to be prioritized.
“The application portal for the NASRDA-SERA mission will open in the coming weeks, and the detailed application process will be made public,” Ale assured.
NASRDA lauded Chief Salis for significantly raising awareness about space exploration opportunities for Nigerians, emphasizing that his personal investment reflects a practical commitment to advancing the country’s space ambitions. “His achievement marks a defining moment,” Ale concluded. “Nigeria now has both private citizens and government-led efforts actively pushing the frontiers of space exploration.”
