Owolabi Salis, a Nigerian lawyer and astronaut based in the United States, recently became the first Nigerian to travel beyond the Kármán line into space.
Renowned American artist Steve N. Barber has announced plans to create a monumental sculpture in Sali’s honour.
Barber announced the project in a statement he signed on Sunday.
He is well-known worldwide for creating monuments with a space theme, such as memorials to astronauts and former US President Donald Trump.
He characterised the proposed monument as an enduring worldwide homage to Salis’ pioneering accomplishments in space exploration and his contribution to showcasing Nigeria internationally.
“This monument will be a global tribute to a man who not only broke new ground as a Nigerian in space but also raised Nigeria’s profile in international scientific and aerospace circles,” Barber said.
Currently under design in California, the monument, which will include engraved inspirational citations, is anticipated to be finished by America’s Independence Day on July 4, 2026.
Sculpture to be taken to Salis’ hometown
After being unveiled in the midst of international media attention, the sculpture will be taken to Salis’ hometown of Ikorodu, Lagos State.
Barber stated that the structure is being constructed to last for at least 1,000 years and hopes to garner support from the Nigerian government, tech billionaire Jeff Bezos, or significant corporate sponsors.
“This isn’t just about honouring one man, it’s about inspiring millions,” he added.
Salis reflects on space mission
Salis, a lawyer from New York and the founder of Salis Law, has gained much praise since returning from space, primarily from Nigerians and Black Americans living abroad.
“People walk up to me in restaurants and hotels, give me hugs, and ask for photographs. It’s been overwhelming,” Salis said in an interview.
Reflecting on the rarity of space travel, he noted, “Only about 720 people in human history have been to space.
“Considering that the Earth is around 5 billion years old and over 117 billion people have lived on it, this achievement is truly humbling.”
In addition to his space mission, Salis achieved another significant milestone in world exploration by becoming the first Black African to visit the Arctic and Antarctic in a single season between January and July 2024.
Nigeria celebrates Salis’ space exploration
Owolabi Salis, who became the first person of Nigerian descent to travel to space, has also received congratulations from the National Space Research and Development Agency, which has called the achievement a significant advancement in Nigeria’s space exploration.
According to a statement released Tuesday by NASRDA’s Director of Media and Corporate Communications, Dr. Felix Ale, Chief Salis’s spaceflight was privately funded.
This indicates Nigerians’ increasing interest in participating in international scientific, exploratory, commercial, and tourism space activities.
“This achievement highlights new opportunities for private sector engagement in Nigeria’s space programme and shines international attention on the nation’s growing capabilities,” Ale said.
According to NASRDA, Chief Salis’s successful space voyage is one of several avenues for Nigerians to participate in space and supports the organisation’s continuous efforts to increase public access to space exploration.
Ale revealed that the agency was informed about the flight before the mission by its partner agency, the Space Research and Exploration Agency.
“His success demonstrates the expanding opportunities now available to Nigerians in the space sector,” he said.
Nigeria to train select citizens in space mission
However, NASRDA clarified that the joint mission with SERA, first announced in June 2024, is still scheduled for a future Blue Origin flight.
Unlike Chief Salis’s privately funded mission, the joint NASRDA-SERA program is intended to provide broader public access.
Nigerian citizens 18 years or older will be chosen based on merit to participate in astronaut training and research development.
Additionally, it will enable public feedback on the research areas to be prioritised.
“The application portal for the NASRDA-SERA mission will open in the coming weeks, and the detailed application process will be made public,” Ale added.
The organisation commended Chief Salis for bringing attention to space exploration prospects and emphasised that his investment demonstrates Nigerians’ real-world dedication to furthering their nation’s space aspirations.
“His achievement marks a defining moment. Nigeria now has both private citizens and government-led efforts actively pushing the frontiers of space exploration,” Ale said.