In a groundbreaking first for West Africa, Nigeria’s melon seeds have returned from the International Space Station (ISS) after a historic journey aboard a SpaceX flight, raising hopes that future space explorers could enjoy a taste of home far beyond earth.
The melon seeds, a key ingredient in preparing the popular Nigerian ‘egusi’ soup, were sent to space as part of a NASA partnership with private firms.
The initiative was spearheaded by Temidayo Oniosun, founder of Lagos-based space research firm, Space in Africa, in collaboration with scientists at the University of Florida and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Oniosun told AFP on Friday that the mission was more than a symbolic milestone, it was a step towards ensuring that space colonisation reflects the cultural and culinary diversity of earth.
“When we talk about humans colonising other planets, this is not just an American mission or a European mission, this is a global mission,” Oniosun said.
“The future of humanity among the stars must reflect the diversity and richness of life on earth.”
‘Egusi’, a protein-rich seed widely used in soups and stews across West and Central Africa, is the first indigenous West African food to be sent into space.
The seeds spent several days aboard the ISS, exposed to the unique conditions of zero gravity, before splashing down in the Pacific Ocean on Saturday.
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Researchers will now study the seeds’ DNA and germination potential to determine how space travel affects their viability.
Findings from the experiments could inform how astronauts grow culturally familiar crops on long-duration missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond, where frequent food resupply is not feasible.
While Nigeria’s space programme is relatively small, the ‘egusi’ mission has generated more public excitement than previous satellite launches.
“The moment that we’re sending food that they love, a food that holds significant cultural contexts to Nigeria… everybody starts getting interested in the subject,” Oniosun noted.
Although ‘egusi’ soup traditionally pairs with pounded yam, Oniosun says it remains to be seen whether the dish’s starchy sidekick will also make the leap into space travel.
For now, the seeds’ return marks a proud moment for Nigeria’s growing space ambitions and a reminder that the journey to the stars should carry the flavours of all humanity.
