Owolabi Salis, a distinguished lawyer, experienced financial consultant, and renowned spiritual thinker, has officially entered the history books as the first Nigerian ever to travel to space. He achieved this remarkable feat as part of Blue Origin’s NS-33 mission, joining an elite group of private astronauts to reach the edge of space.
During an in-depth interview following his return, Salis shared his thoughts on what inspired his decision to embark on this cosmic journey, the financial sacrifice it entailed, and the profound spiritual insights he gained while floating above Earth.
According to Salis, the mission was far more than a scientific or technological endeavor. Instead, he described it as a deeply personal and spiritual quest to understand the universe, the human soul, and the ultimate purpose of existence. He explained that he sees Earth as “Planet 3,” miraculously held in place by the sun’s rays and rotating at unimaginable speeds—phenomena he believes hold deeper meanings beyond ordinary scientific explanations.
His primary motivation was to explore fundamental questions about where the soul comes from, why it exists, and where it ultimately belongs. To pursue this quest, he formally reached out to Blue Origin with a proposal to conduct spiritual research during the flight, emphasizing his desire to go beyond traditional scientific exploration.
Salis invested a substantial, though undisclosed, amount of money to secure his seat on the mission—estimated by some sources to be around $2 million. He went through rigorous astronaut training and obtained official approvals from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration to participate as a private space traveler.
While the original launch date on June 21 had to be postponed due to unfavorable high wind conditions, the mission was successfully launched on June 29. Despite the inherent risks and potential dangers, Salis stated that he felt completely at peace throughout the experience, attributing his calmness to his deep spiritual foundation and unwavering faith.
During the spaceflight, Salis and the other crew members experienced a unique period of weightlessness that lasted for approximately three minutes. He described this moment as surreal, saying he felt like he was floating gracefully through the cosmos just like a bird soaring freely in the sky. He marveled at the breathtaking view of Earth hanging like a delicate blue orb suspended in the infinite darkness of space.
This otherworldly perspective, according to Salis, reinforced his belief in the existence of a divine power that surpasses the descriptions found in most religious texts. “From what I saw, the Almighty Lord of the Universe is not the same as what some religious books are telling us,” he stated, suggesting that his direct experience reshaped his spiritual worldview.
Beyond this space adventure, Salis has always lived as an explorer and seeker of deeper truths. He revealed that he has traveled to more than 120 countries, journeyed to both the North and South Poles, and visited numerous extreme and remote environments, all of which he considers essential parts of his lifelong spiritual pilgrimage.
Looking ahead, Salis disclosed that his next aspiration is to explore remote islands by boat, driven by a fascination with volcanic formations and untouched natural beauty. He described these future travels as opportunities to continue his spiritual research and connect with nature on an even more profound level.
Although he is now retired, Salis funds his ambitious expeditions using personal savings and the proceeds from his successful legal and consulting career. As a prominent civil rights advocate in New York, he built a strong professional foundation that now supports his global adventures.
Salis has also actively participated in Nigerian politics, having contested multiple times for the position of Lagos State governor. Despite never winning, he expressed no regret, seeing each attempt as part of his broader mission to advocate for justice and social change.
He used his platform to call for comprehensive political reforms in Nigeria. In particular, he advocated for a transition from what he called “assisted personality politics,” where leaders are chosen based on elite manipulation, to a fairer and more inclusive model he termed “equitocracy,” designed to empower the masses.
Salis also emphasized the importance of local policing structures, urging the Nigerian government to implement community-level security measures that would enhance grassroots governance and ensure public safety across the country.
Believing that space travel will soon become accessible to more people, Salis has already started recommending other Nigerians to Blue Origin for future missions. He expressed hope that more citizens would experience the transformative impact of seeing Earth from space, which he believes can foster a new sense of global unity and spiritual awareness.
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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