In a groundbreaking feat for Nigeria’s agricultural and scientific communities, egusi melon seeds sourced from Oyo State have made history as the first Nigerian and West African agricultural item to be launched into space.
The seeds are aboard the Crew-11 mission, scheduled for liftoff on July 31 at 12:09 PM (EDT) from the Kennedy Space Centre, Florida, using a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The mission, part of a multinational agricultural research initiative, will dock with the International Space Station (ISS) on August 2, carrying with it Nigeria’s symbolically rich crop: egusi.
The space-bound seeds are part of the project titled “Emerging Space Nations: Space for Agriculture and Agriculture for Space,” which aims to investigate how culturally and nutritionally significant crops respond to the unique conditions of space—such as microgravity and increased radiation. The goal is to understand how these crops can contribute to both food sustainability on Earth and long-duration space missions.
This is the first time any item from Nigeria will enter Earth’s orbit, and the initiative is being spearheaded by Dr. Temidayo Oniosun, a renowned Nigerian space scientist and founder of Space in Africa.
“Egusi was selected not just for its cultural significance but for its potential in climate-resilient agriculture,” Dr. Oniosun stated in an official release. “This mission sends a powerful message—Nigeria has a place in global scientific advancement, especially where traditional knowledge intersects with cutting-edge technology.”
The seeds will be studied alongside other regionally important crops including Egyptian cotton, Armenian pomegranate, and Pakistani wheat, allowing for comparative analysis of their responses to space conditions.
Egusi, also known as melon seed, is a staple in Nigerian and West African cuisine. It plays a key role in food security and rural livelihoods across the region. Rich in protein, fat, and essential minerals, egusi is not only culturally important but nutritionally dense, making it a strong candidate for space-based agriculture experiments.
Dr. Oniosun emphasized its relevance: “Egusi’s nutritional profile and resilience make it a potential game-changer in the search for sustainable space crops. Sending it to space elevates its global profile and contributes to innovative agricultural research.”
The project is being executed in collaboration with international partners including Jaguar Space, which serves as the mission integrator and scientific coordinator, and The Karman Project, a global non-profit advocating for inclusive and responsible space exploration. Dr. Oniosun is Nigeria’s principal investigator for the mission, positioning the country as a key player in this new frontier.
According to the organisers, “This mission not only places Nigeria at the forefront of space-agriculture research but also celebrates the integration of local culture into a global scientific narrative.”
Experts believe this milestone could pave the way for enhanced collaboration between Nigerian universities, agricultural researchers, and international space agencies. It also opens conversations around Nigeria’s inclusion in future space-tech partnerships, particularly in climate-smart agriculture, biotechnology, and food innovation.
As the world turns increasingly to space science to address global challenges, this project marks a critical entry point for emerging nations like Nigeria to assert leadership through culturally-rooted, high-impact science.
With egusi in orbit, Nigeria isn’t just sending a seed into space—it’s planting a vision for the future.