By Muhammed Hammed

Owolabi Salis, a lawyer, financial consultant, and spiritual thinker, has made history as the first Nigerian to travel to space, joining Blue Origin’s NS-33 mission.

In an interview, Salis opened up about the motivation behind his space trip, the cost, and the revelations he encountered during the voyage.

Salis explained that his journey was more spiritual than scientific. He described Earth as “Planet 3,” suspended by the sun’s beam and revolving at high speed—something he finds deeply mysterious.

His goal was to explore deeper questions about the soul, its origin, and its purpose.

He said he wrote to Blue Origin, expressing his interest in conducting research on spiritualism.

After paying a significant, undisclosed amount—estimated to be around $2 million—he underwent intensive training and secured the necessary approvals from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration.

Although the initial flight on June 21 was delayed due to high winds, the trip eventually took place on June 29. Despite the risks involved, Salis said he felt no fear, thanks to his deep spiritual grounding.

During the flight, he experienced weightlessness for about three minutes.

He described floating like a bird and being awed by the sight of Earth suspended in darkness.

He said the view confirmed his belief in a divine presence beyond 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 said.

Salis revealed that he has visited over 120 countries, the North and South Poles, and other extreme locations, which he considers spiritual pilgrimages.

His next goal is to explore isolated islands by boat, drawn by their volcanic origins and natural beauty.

Although he is retired, Salis said he finances his trips through savings and past work as a prominent lawyer and civil rights advocate in New York.

He has also contested multiple times to become the governor of Lagos State but expressed no regret over the failed attempts.

He called for reforms in Nigeria’s political system, advocating for a shift from what he calls “assisted personality politics” to a more inclusive model he terms “equitocracy.”

He also urged the Nigerian government to implement local policing to improve grassroots governance and public safety.

Salis believes that space travel will become more accessible in the future and is already recommending more Nigerians for similar opportunities with Blue Origin.

WATCH VIDEO: