Speaking to journalists upon his return, Salis opened up about the *staggering financial commitment* involved in securing a seat aboard the Jeff Bezos-owned spaceflight company. While he did not disclose the exact figure, similar trips have reportedly cost between *250,000 to 1 million* per passenger.
“I knew it was going to be expensive, but I was ready to invest in something bigger than myself—representing Nigeria and Africa on a universal stage,” Salis said. “The view of Earth from space is a life-altering experience. No words can truly capture it.”
According to Salis, the experience wasn't just about personal fulfillment—it was a symbolic gesture to inspire young Nigerians in the fields of science, technology, and aerospace. “We need to break limits. Our youth must begin to see space and innovation as within their reach.”
His trip, reportedly on board a Blue Origin New Shepard capsule, lasted just over *11 minutes*, crossing the Kármán line—the internationally recognized boundary of space. He described the moment of weightlessness as “surreal and humbling.”
Salis' milestone is sparking conversations across Nigeria’s tech, academic, and political sectors, with many urging the federal government to revive interest in the Nigerian Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) and encourage STEM education nationwide.
As the first Nigerian civilian to make it to space, Salis has not only written his name in history but has also reignited hope for a new era of African participation in the final frontier.
#OwolabiSalis #FirstNigerianInSpace #NigeriaInSpace #SpaceTourism #BlueOrigin #AfricanInnovation #SpaceExploration #STEMNigeria #InspiringAfrica
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