The vision for this laudable journey was conceived and delivered in May, 2019 by Associate Professor Isiaka Ogunwande, who believed that there has been enormous contribution by essential oil researchers in Nigeria and thus a common frontier needed to be established to champion the course nationally and internationally. This is in tandem with international best practices of regulation of essential oil market by researchers. In furtherance of the vision, a 4-man interim committee of Prof Sherifat Aboaba of Chemistry Department, University of Ibadan (Interim Chairman), Dr Opeyemi Avoseh (Interim Secretary), Dr A. L. Ogundajo and Dr I. A. Ogunwande decided to populate the group while sharing the proposed name, aims and objectives of the group. In less than a week, 22 researchers spread across different parts of the country and various universities showed interest and became members of the group; setting the pace to achieve the vision of placing Nigeria on the pedestal of Essential oil production and utilisation.
Several e-meetings were held to brainstorm and chart a course for the advancement of SEODA.