NASRDA Makes History, Sends Indigenous Seeds to Space

History was made on Friday, as the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) successfully launched Nigerian indigenous seeds to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard NASA’s Crew-11 Mission from Cape Canaveral, Florida, United States.

The Director of Media and Corporate Communications at NASRDA, Dr. Felix Ale, described the event as a groundbreaking achievement.

He noted that it was “the first time indigenous Nigerian crop seeds will be taken to space” with the launch of NASA’s Crew-11 mission aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Nigeria’s participation is part of the World Seeds Experiment, an international space biology project coordinated by Jaguar Space, in collaboration with NASA and research institutions from over a dozen emerging space nations.

According to Ale, “the experiment is designed to study how seeds respond to microgravity even before germination begins, offering insights into plant resilience, seed preservation, and sustainable agriculture in both space and terrestrial environments.”

Representing Nigeria in the experiment are six crops of cultural and agricultural significance: maize, cowpea, sorghum, okra, amaranth, and egusi melon. These seeds are currently aboard the ISS, where scientists will study their biological and genetic responses to space conditions.

Olayinka Fagbemiro, Assistant Director in NASRDA’s International Cooperation and Linkages Department and Project Lead for Nigeria, was present at Launch Pad 39A to witness the historic liftoff. “This is a significant milestone for Nigeria’s space science and biotechnology efforts,” she said.

Fagbemiro stressed that Nigeria’s involvement “symbolizes more than scientific progress as it reflects Nigeria’s determination to be at the forefront of inclusive and impactful space research.”

She added that the World Seeds Payload is not only a scientific venture but also “a powerful act of representation.” Each participating country selected crops with “deep cultural, nutritional, and economic meaning,” and for Nigeria, the seeds carried to space represent “national identity, food sovereignty, and the voices of communities historically left out of space exploration.”

Upon the seeds’ return from orbit, NASRDA will coordinate post-flight analysis with the University of Florida and local research institutions. Findings from the study are expected to contribute to global knowledge and guide agricultural strategies for extreme environments.

The mission also includes contributions from Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Maldives, India, and other partner nations.

Reacting to the launch, Jaguar Space official Dr. Luis Zea congratulated NASRDA, saying the mission “was no doubt a success story not only for NASRDA but also to the government and great people of Nigeria.”