From Okaka to Orbit: Egusi from Oyo State Heads to Orbit
Oyo State is proud to celebrate a remarkable moment in scientific and cultural history. Dr Temidayo Oniosun, a native of Oyo State and globally recognised space policy expert, has partnered with NASA-affiliated researchers to send egusi (melon seeds)—a staple of Oyo State’s agricultural heritage—into space aboard the SpaceX Crew-11 mission.
This is the first time an agricultural product native to Nigeria will reach the International Space Station, and it originates from Oyo State’s soil.
When the seeds return to Earth, Dr Oniosun will lead post-flight experiments in partnership with leading plant biotechnologists at the University of Florida and molecular researchers in Brazil, exploring how space travel affects crop resilience, genetic expression, and viability.
As Oyo State champions a new era of innovation-led tourism and agribusiness development, this mission shows what it means to honour tradition while shaping the future.
The launch takes place on 31 July 2025 at 5:09 PM Nigerian time, and we encourage all citizens to witness history as Oyo State’s egusi goes interstellar.
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