Nigerian scientist sends egusi to space in Africa’s first

In a historic first for Nigeria and Africa, egusi seeds are headed for space as part of a pioneering scientific experiment led by Temidayo Oniosun, a Nigerian space scientist

Egusi is a staple in West Africa and popular in Nigerian soup.

Oniosun, who serves as principal investigator on the project, disclosed on his LinkedIn account that egusi seeds would be sent to outer space on July 31, where its sustainability for nutritional and functional applications in long-term human space exploration would be assessed.

Also known as melon, egusi seeds are used in cooking diverse Nigerian cuisines, especially the popular Egusi soup enjoyed by many.

He wrote on LinkedIn, “For the first time ever, a Nigerian seed is going to space. That seed is Egusi.”

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The simple but profound statement has made history for Nigeria, highlighting the huge potential of Africa’s most populous black nation’s contribution to the global agricultural sector.

Although the seed is not the first African seed to land in space, it is, however, the first agricultural product from West Africa to be included in a space-based experiment.

The egusi seed, sourced from Oyo State, will be part of a National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) resupply mission to the International Space Station (ISS), Oniosun noted.

He explained that, having had the opportunity to be part of the Karman Project’s Seeds initiative, he was allowed to pick a seed that represents Nigeria. “And I chose Egusi, not just for its nutritional value, but for what it carries — culture, memory, and identity.

The seed will be launched aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida, as part of Crew-11’s mission to the ISS. It will join other culturally significant crops from countries such as Egypt, Armenia, and Pakistan in an experiment aimed at understanding how traditional agricultural seeds respond to microgravity.

The inclusion of Nigerian egusi in the mission aligns with the global interest in food security and agricultural adaptation to new environments, including space. The research also serves as part of broader efforts to integrate African crops into international scientific and technological initiatives.

“This mission is studying how seeds respond to microgravity,” Oniosun stated. “But for me, it’s about what it means for young people back home to see something so familiar in such an unfamiliar place.”

This move not only showcases Nigerian scientific leadership but also charts a new course for sustainable and diverse food production, experts say

The scientist is a graduate of Meteorology from the Federal University of Technology, Akure. He also has a master’s degree in Satellite Applications from the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow. He earned his Ph.D. at the University of Delaware.

Source: Goldmyne.tv | Continue to Full Story…