Wikipedia has officially listed United States–based Nigerian lawyer and finance expert, Chief Owolabi Salis, as the first Nigerian to travel to space.
The recognition follows confirmation by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale, the global body that certifies aviation and space flight records, that Salis met its criteria for space travel.
The FAI defines space flight as crossing an altitude of 100 kilometres (62 miles) above sea level, the internationally recognised Kármán Line, and awards “astronaut wings” to those who achieve the feat.
Salis, who became the 702nd person in history to travel to space, undertook the journey on June 29 aboard the Blue Origin spacecraft NS-33, owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.
The flight, which launched from West Texas, reached an altitude of about 105 km.
He was joined on the mission by Allie Kuehner, Carl Kuehner, Leland Larson, Freddie Rescigno, and Jim Sitkin.
Salis, who is also the founder of Soul Makers Ministry Worldwide, described the experience as “spiritually rewarding.”
Reacting in a statement on Tuesday, Salis expressed gratitude for the recognition, saying that the development will encourage others to achieve more feats.
“This recognition is immensely gladdening and encouraging, considering the fact that our planet is approximately five billion years old and about 117 billion people have lived in it, out of which only about 720 have been to space,” Salis said.
Wikipedia’s records show that the first human to travel to space was Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin on April 12, 1961, followed by American astronaut Alan Shepard on May 5, 1961.
Plans are also underway to honour Salis with a monument by renowned California-based sculptor Steve N. Barber. Barber said the project, expected to last 1,000 years, would feature engraved inspirational citations and serve as a beacon for Nigerians and Africans aspiring to explore space.
The monument is scheduled for completion on July 4 next year, to coincide with the United States’ Independence Day celebrations, before being relocated to Salis’ birthplace in Nigeria.
