A prominent American monument designer, Steve Barber, has unveiled plans to honour Nigerian-American lawyer and astronaut, Chief Owolabi Salis, for making history as the first Nigerian to travel into outer space beyond the Karman Line.
Barber, internationally known for crafting over 37 monuments in tribute to distinguished astronauts, said Salis’ groundbreaking achievement deserves global and national recognition. He has already discussed the proposal with Salis, who hails from Ikorodu, in Nigeria’s commercial hub, Lagos State.
According to Barber, Salis’ spaceflight has earned him a place among an exclusive group of approximately 720 individuals worldwide who have ventured into space. He urged the Nigerian government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to recognise the monumental achievement and how it has elevated the country’s global reputation.
“This is no ordinary achievement. Our planet is over five billion years old, with about 117 billion people having lived on it, yet only around 720 individuals have ever been to space. This puts Chief Salis in an exceptionally rare category,” Barber said.
He described the proposed monument as a structure with a projected lifespan of 1,000 years. It will feature inspirational inscriptions and is scheduled to be unveiled on July 4, 2026. The monument will then be transported to Salis’ birthplace as a tribute to his historic journey and to inspire future generations.
Barber noted that the monument is intended to serve as a beacon of hope, especially for young Nigerians and people of African descent, encouraging a stronger interest in space exploration and scientific innovation.
Beyond his journey to space, Chief Salis has also achieved a rare travel milestone. Between January and July 2024, he became the first Black African to visit both the Arctic and Antarctic regions within the same season, an adventurous feat that further highlights his pioneering spirit.
Barber praised Salis as a symbol of courage, perseverance, and ambition, and described him as a global ambassador for Africa in the field of exploration and innovation.
