Egusi goes to space: Nigerian scientist leads Africa’s first indigenous crop experiment on ISS
In a groundbreaking milestone for Nigeria and the African continent, egusi seeds—commonly used in West African soups—are set to embark on a historic journey to outer space. The experiment, spearheaded by Nigerian space scientist Temidayo Oniosun, aims to examine the seeds’ viability for long-term human space missions.
The launch is scheduled for July 31 at 12:09 PM EDT (5:09 PM Nigerian time) as part of NASA’s Crew-11 resupply mission to the International Space Station (ISS), lifting off from Cape Canaveral, Florida. This marks the first time any seeds from Nigeria will be sent to space.
The initiative is being carried out in collaboration with The Karman Project and Jaguar Space LLC, organisations that promote global scientific research and space cooperation. Egusi, derived from melon seeds, is a rich protein source and a cultural staple across West Africa.
Temidayo Oniosun, an alumnus of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), announced the mission via social media, stating, “This is the first time in history that seeds from Nigeria will be going to space… it’s about food security, adaptability, and scientific sovereignty in space exploration.”
The egusi seeds, sourced from Oyo State, will be part of a broader cargo onboard the Crew-11 Dragon spacecraft. NASA astronaut Lt. Commander Jonny Kim will oversee the transfer of these experimental items to the ISS and back.
Upon return, the seeds will undergo advanced scientific analysis led by Dr. Wagner Vendrame, a University of Florida professor and expert in plant tissue culture and cryopreservation. Experiments will include in vitro germination, spectral imaging, metabolic activity tests, and genetic sequencing to assess the effects of space exposure.
Oniosun emphasized that the research could redefine the role of indigenous crops in future space missions. “If egusi can survive and thrive under space conditions, it opens new doors for extra-terrestrial agriculture using African crops,” he said.
The Vice Chancellor of FUTA, Professor Adenike Oladiji, praised the development, calling it a “symbol of African innovation hurtling beyond Earth’s atmosphere.” She credited Oniosun’s education at FUTA as foundational to this achievement.
Temidayo Oniosun, who holds a B.Tech in Meteorology from FUTA, a master’s in satellite applications from the University of Strathclyde, and a Ph.D. from the University of Delaware, has long been an influential voice in the African space community. His previous accomplishments include leading a space balloon launch in 2015 and winning the International Astronautical Federation Emerging Space Leadership Award in 2016.
As the world prepares to witness the launch, the mission stands not just as a scientific endeavor, but as a bold statement of Africa’s growing footprint in the global space arena.
