US-based Lawyer Becomes First Nigerian to Travel to Space

Meet Nigerian-born Owolabi Salis

The suborbital flight, operated by Jeff Bezos’ aerospace company Blue Origin, lasted 10 minutes. It reached a peak altitude of 105.2 kilometres, crossing the Kármán line, the internationally recognized boundary of space.

Nigerian-born lawyer and politician, Salis, is the first Nigerian to travel to space. Hailing from Ikorodu, Lagos, he described his journey as a “convergence of science and spirit.”

“This mission is more than just a trip into space, it’s a spiritual journey, a call to inspire future generations,” he said before liftoff. A champion of community development and youth empowerment, Salis hopes his historic flight will ignite interest in space exploration across Africa.

Salis is an attorney and a financial consultant. He’s the author of Equitocracy, which presents a vision for democracy that prioritizes equity among diverse groups. The Nigerian chieftain is also a key member of the Soul Maker Ministry, which preaches diversity given the diverse nature of the universe. He’s dedicating this mission to victims of discrimination and civil rights violations.

Moreover, Salis’ flight marks a key moment for Nigeria and Africa, demonstrating growing participation in space endeavours. He joins a growing global community of citizen astronauts, marking a powerful step forward in African space participation.

Meet Other Crew Members of NS-33

The NS-33 mission patch, which dubbed themselves “the Solstice 33,” featured green rings symbolising Earth’s horizon and the Kármán line, reflecting humanity’s quest to push boundaries.

“One thing this crew shares in common is an appreciation of our planet’s beauty and the need to preserve it for future generations,” said Audrey Powers, VP, Mission and Flight Operations. “Thank you to our customers for entrusting us to provide this life-changing view. I look forward to seeing how you transform this experience into action.”

Here’s a short profile of the crew members.

Allie Kuehner

Allie is a dedicated environmentalist and conservationist passionate about protecting natural ecosystems and wildlife for future generations. She serves on the board of Nature Is Nonpartisan, a nonprofit advocating for bipartisan environmental solutions. As an avid adventurer, Allie believes firsthand exploration strengthens the case for thoughtful ecological stewardship.

Carl Kuehner

Carl is the Chairman of Building and Land Technology (BLT), a real estate development firm dedicated to creating sustainable communities. Under his leadership, BLT integrates innovative design with environmental responsibility and community impact. Carl champions conservation efforts, promoting sustainable development and ecological restoration through business strategy and philanthropy.

Leland Larson

Leland is a philanthropist and former CEO of family-owned transportation businesses. He co-founded the Larson Legacy, a philanthropic foundation supporting progressive nonprofits globally. Leland’s diverse background includes teaching, working with the Army, and serving as a Delegate to Hawaii’s Constitutional Convention. He’s also a passionate gardener, beekeeper, and nature enthusiast.

Freddie Rescigno, Jr.

Freddie is an entrepreneur and the President of Commodity Cables, serving the electrical distribution market. He’s a competitive golfer and father of three boys who share his love for golf and Italian culture. Freddie’s passion for archeological discoveries also fuels his interest in space exploration.

Jim Sitkin

Jim is a retired lawyer with four decades of experience in California, specializing in employment class actions that protected non-unionized employees. He’s now a volunteer for a global NGO, facilitating meetings with government and community leaders in Central Europe and sub-Saharan Africa. A lifelong adventurer, Jim has explored seven continents and has been fascinated with space since childhood, inspired by watching Star Trek. Jim lives in California with his wife, Sue, and their cat, Hickory.

Main Image: First Nigerian to travel to Space, Owolabi Salis, with his fellow crew members were Allie Kuehner, Carl Kuehner, Leland Larson, Freddie Rescigno Jr., and Jim Sitkin.