Nigeria’s Egusi Seed Set To Become First Agricultural Product From West Africa To Journey To Space.
In an extraordinary leap for Nigerian science and culture, the humble egusi melon seed, a staple of West African cuisine, is set to make history as the first agricultural product from the region to journey into space. Sourced from the fertile fields of Oyo State, these seeds will soar to the International Space Station (ISS) on 31 July 2025, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, marking a proud moment for Nigeria and the entire continent.
This groundbreaking mission, aptly named “Emerging Space Nations: Space for Agriculture and Agriculture for Space,” is spearheaded by Nigerian space scientist and entrepreneur Dr. Temidayo Oniosun, in collaboration with Jaguar Space and The Karman Project. The egusi seed will share its cosmic voyage with three other culturally significant crops—Egyptian cotton, Armenian pomegranate, and Pakistani wheat—as part of an ambitious experiment to explore the future of food in space.
The project’s aim is twofold: to investigate how traditional seeds fare in the harsh conditions of microgravity and cosmic radiation, and to unlock insights that could revolutionise both space-based agriculture and climate-resilient farming back on Earth. Egusi, a nutritional powerhouse integral to Nigerian soups and stews, was chosen not only for its scientific potential but also for its deep cultural resonance. A cornerstone of rural economies and food security across West Africa, the seed’s journey into orbit shines a global spotlight on Nigeria’s rich agricultural heritage.
The mission will launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida, with the Falcon 9 rocket lifting off at 12:09 PM Eastern Daylight Time on 31 July. The seeds will arrive at the ISS on 2 August, docking at 3:00 PM, where they will undergo rigorous scientific study. The experiment will conclude when the seeds return to Earth with the Crew-10 mission, expected to splash down on 6 or 7 August.
This venture is more than a scientific endeavour; it’s a celebration of Nigeria’s place in the global space race. By blending ancestral wisdom with cutting-edge research, the mission underscores the power of international collaboration and positions Nigeria as a trailblazer in the new frontier of space exploration. As the egusi seed embarks on its cosmic journey, it carries with it the hopes and aspirations of a nation ready to leave its mark among the stars.