Nigerian scientists await return of Egusi seeds sent to space

If the Termlings will never colonize Mars, they will not be able to do it on an empty stomach – and TEMIDAYO Oniosun thinks that a help with the Egusi soup, a Nigerian basic food, could simply hit the place.

Space in Africa, founded the Oniosun firm based in Lagos, expects its Egusi melon seeds to spk on the Pacific Ocean on Saturday – from a trip to the international space station.

Once in the ground, experiences will start on what is hailed as the first food from West Africa to be sent to space.

As Oniosun said to AFP on Friday, it could announce an era when space exploration reflects the diversity of the planet.

“When we talk about humans colonizing other planets, it is not only an American mission or a European mission-it is a global mission,” he told AFP.

And future African space explorers could enjoy a taste of the house.

Experiments on extraterrestrial foods, that is to say tested in space, have been taking place for years.

The cultivation of food in space is considered a crucial part of long -term space flight and long -term missions, where frequent replenishment will not be possible.

International tests

Scientists at the University of Florida in the United States and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, in the Southwest Nigerian City of Ibadan, will examine the seeds “to see the effects of exposure to space” and zero gravity, including on seed DNA.

Once planted, researchers will monitor their post-space performance and germination.

The seeds went to ISS on a SpaceX flight last week, as part of the NASA partnership with private companies.

Oniosun said that the inclusion of Egusi seeds marked an important step forward, both for those on earth only for future astronauts.

Protein shores, they are generally used to prepare soups and stews through West and Central Africa.

The most populous country in Africa has a small space industry, but the launch of seeds seemed to generate more excitement on social networks and in newspapers than previous launches of Nigerian satellites, he said.

“The moment we send food they love, food that contains important cultural contexts in Nigeria … Everyone is starting to take an interest in the subject,” Oniosun told AFP.

“The launch of the seeds of Melon Egusi in space is more than a symbolic gesture,” he added.

“The future of humanity among the stars must reflect the diversity and the richness of life on earth.”

Let the yam drawn – the key dish served alongside the Egusi soup – will go to the final border remains to be seen.

© 2025 AFP