Paul Olanrewaju Oladunni, widely known as Mr. Space, has been nominated for the Travel Influencer of the Year award at the Influencer Magazine Awards 2026. The nomination recognises his visionary leadership as Chief Executive Officer of Space Media Technologies Limited and Space Tourism Society Africa, where he has positioned himself at the forefront of Africa’s entry into the global space economy. Based in Ibadan, Nigeria, Mr. Paul leads the continent’s premier platform for advancing public and private participation in space science, education, and tourism, and is credited with creating the first space platform in Africa, an initiative that has nurtured and produced global leaders in the sector. His work has sparked what many describe as the Space Evolution and Revolution in Africa.
Mr. Paul has championed infrastructure advocacy, including the concept for the biggest planetarium in Africa, now situated at Afe Babalola University. He has built strategic partnerships across nations, positioning Africa within the international space community. In 2024, he secured a strategic partnership with the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA), leading to an international engagement trip to Ghana. In 2025, he led NANTA members to the Czech Republic Embassy in Abuja during the International Celebration of World Space Week to advance bilateral collaboration. In April 2026, he was contracted by NANTA for its 50th Annual General Meeting in Ibadan, providing 10 coastal buses to transport over 200 members. From July 15 to 21, 2026, he facilitated a one week executive retreat in Ghana for top executives of AIICO Insurance through Space Tourism Society Africa.
Mr. Paul is currently in partnership discussions with Royal Air Maroc to sponsor the 2026 International Space Week in collaboration with Nile University. He is also coordinating an educational visit for selected Nigerian students to the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) before the end of 2026. Looking ahead to 2027, Mr. Paul is focused on launching an initiative to provide internship opportunities in Europe for students from various African countries. This program is designed to equip African students with global exposure, practical experience, and international networks while creating pathways for them to return and contribute to the growth of the continent. The goal is to help reduce the brain drain currently affecting Africa by ensuring talent is globally trained but locally rooted. With a track record of turning vision into action, Mr. Paul Olanrewaju Oladunni continues to open doors for Africa in space exploration, education, and tourism, while building bridges between industry, government, and the next generation of African space leaders.
Mr. Paul Olanrewaju Oladunni is a trailblazer in Africa’s space and STEM education ecosystem. In 2005, he became the first African undergraduate student to participate in both the prestigious Space Generation Advisory Council – SGAC and the International Astronautical Congress – IAC in Fukuoka, Japan. He further made history in 2021 when he led a delegation of university students and management staff from Lead City University to the International Astronautical Congress in Dubai.
In recognition of his leadership in STEM, Space Tourism Society Africa – STSA achieved another first in 2026. Between the last week of January and the first week of February, STSA became the first African platform to sponsor a member and a Deputy Vice Chancellor to attend the Space Camp Adult Program in Huntsville, Alabama, USA.
Mr. Oladunni is also credited with launching the first radio program dedicated to space in Nigeria: “Space and Space Tourism Show” on Lead City University 89.1 FM, which has aired since June 24, 2016.
Dr. Isaiah Oniosun Temidayo (Founder, Space in Africa) is one of many Africans who have benefited from Mr. Oladunni’s commitment to advancing space in Africa. Dr. Temidayo served as the former President of the Space Club of Nigeria and was among the early guests interviewed on Mr. Oladunni’s Space Show in 2016. Today, Space Club is the biggest platform in Africa promoting Space Science and Technology.
Mr. Oladunni’s work continues to inspire a new generation of space leaders across the continent.
