US-based Lawyer Owolabi Salis Becomes First Nigerian to Travel to Space

Nigerian-born lawyer and politician Owolabi Salis has made history as the first Nigerian to travel to space. Salis was one of six passengers aboard Blue Origin’s NS-33 mission, which launched from West Texas on June 29, 2025.

The 10-minute suborbital flight, operated by Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin under its New Shepard programme, took the crew past the Kármán line—the internationally recognized boundary of space—reaching an altitude of 105.2 kilometers.

Salis flew alongside Allie Kuehner, Carl Kuehner, Leland Larson, Freddie Rescigno Jr., and Jim Sitkin. He now joins the exclusive list of citizen astronauts who have ventured into space through private spaceflight initiatives.

Before liftoff, Salis described the mission as more than a scientific feat. “This mission is more than just a trip into space—it’s a spiritual journey, a call to inspire future generations,” he said, adding that he hopes his experience will spark space exploration interest across Africa.

Born in Ikorodu, Lagos, Salis is a chartered accountant and attorney licensed in both Nigeria and the U.S.

No stranger to adventure, Salis previously became the first Black African to visit both the Arctic and Antarctic within the same season.

He has also been a prominent figure in Lagos politics—seeking the PDP governorship ticket in 2003 and 2007, contesting under the Action Party of Nigeria in 2007, and running as the Alliance for Democracy’s candidate in the 2019 elections. He later challenged the 2019 results in court, but the tribunal upheld Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s victory.

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Saint Lucia Confers Honorary Knighthood on President Tinubu

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been conferred with the honorary title of Knight Commander of the Order of Saint Lucia (KCOSL) during his official state visit to the Caribbean nation.

The honour was approved by the Governor General of Saint Lucia on the advice of Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre, according to a statement released by the Office of the Prime Minister.

“The Government of Saint Lucia is pleased to announce that, acting on the advice of the Prime Minister, the Governor General has conferred the title of Knight Commander of the Order of Saint Lucia (KCOSL) upon His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” the statement read.

 

Following the formal investiture, Tinubu will be officially styled: H.E. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, KCOSL (Hon.), President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

The Nigerian President arrived in Vieux Fort, Saint Lucia, on Saturday, marking the first leg of his two-nation tour of the Caribbean and South America. During the visit, he paid courtesy calls to Prime Minister Pierre and Governor General Cyril Errol Melchiades Charles.

 

One of the highlights of the trip was President Tinubu’s address to a special joint session of Saint Lucia’s Senate and House of Assembly at the William Jefferson Clinton Ballroom in Gros Islet. In his speech, he announced the formal establishment of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and Saint Lucia, describing it as a “symbolic bridge” to strengthen bilateral ties.

Tinubu also proposed the creation of a Joint Commission or Political Consultation Agreement to enhance cooperation between Nigeria and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).

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