Nigerian Scientist Sends Egusi Seeds to Space in Groundbreaking Mission

In a historic first for Nigeria and Africa, space scientist Temidayo Oniosun is sending egusi seeds—an indigenous West African crop—into space aboard NASA’s Crew-11 mission to assess their viability for long-term human space exploration, marking a major milestone in African-led space and agricultural research.

In a remarkable first for Nigeria and the African continent, egusi seeds—a staple ingredient in West African cuisine—are headed to outer space as part of an ambitious scientific experiment. The initiative is being led by Temidayo Oniosun, a space scientist and alumnus of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA).

Scheduled for launch on July 31, 2025, at 12:09 PM EDT (5:09 PM Nigerian time), the seeds will travel aboard NASA’s Crew-11 resupply mission to the International Space Station (ISS), launching from Cape Canaveral, Florida.

This historic project marks the first time Nigerian seeds will be sent into space. It is the result of a collaboration between The Karman Project and Jaguar Space LLC, both organizations devoted to advancing global space research and cooperation.

Temidayo Oniosun shared the significance of the project on social media, stating,

“I am sending egusi seeds to outer space to assess their suitability for nutritional and functional applications in long-term human space exploration. This is the first time in history that seeds from Nigeria will be going to space.”

The egusi seeds, sourced from Oyo State, will travel alongside other scientific payloads under the supervision of NASA astronaut Jonny Kim, a U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander, who is tasked with handling experimental transfers aboard the ISS.

Once the seeds return from space, they will undergo a series of rigorous scientific tests led by Dr. Wagner Vendrame, a distinguished professor at the University of Florida and expert in plant micropropagation and cryopreservation.

Post-mission research will involve:

• In vitro germination to assess physical and physiological changes.
• Spectral imaging to evaluate seed viability and structural integrity.
• Respiration analysis using a respirometer to measure metabolic activity.
• Molecular analysis by a Brazilian collaborator to investigate any changes in gene expression due to exposure to space conditions.

According to Oniosun,

“This research goes beyond agriculture; it’s about food security, adaptability, and scientific sovereignty in space exploration. If egusi can survive and thrive after exposure to space, it opens new opportunities for cultivating indigenous crops beyond Earth.”

The achievement is being celebrated as a milestone for Nigerian science and innovation. Professor Adenike Oladiji, FUTA’s Vice Chancellor, expressed immense pride in the role the university played in Oniosun’s academic journey.

“As the countdown begins, the world watches not just a rocket launch, but a symbol of African innovation rising beyond the Earth’s atmosphere.”

Temidayo Oniosun holds a Bachelor of Technology in Meteorology from FUTA (2016), a Master’s in Satellite Applications from the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, and a PhD from the University of Delaware.

His contributions to space advocacy began early. In 2015, while still a student, he led his university’s space club to launch a balloon into near space. In 2016, he received the International Astronautical Federation Emerging Space Leadership Award and later served two terms as Africa’s regional coordinator for the Space Generation Advisory Council.

This mission not only highlights a unique intersection of agriculture and space science but also firmly positions Nigeria on the map of global astro-agriculture initiatives.

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SOURCES: ALLSCHOOL, TRIBUNE