CROWTHER JOURNAL OF ARTS AND HUMANITIES

The phrase "The earth is the Lord's and everything in it" (Psalm 24:1) is a profound theological statement that conveys the belief that all creation, including the land, belongs to God. This study explores the implications of this biblical principle for 'Omo Onile' in contemporary Nigerian society. The term 'Omo Onile' refers to landowners, particularly in Yoruba culture, who claim ancestral rights over land and assert control over property transactions. This paper investigates how the principle of divine ownership challenges or aligns with the practices of 'Omo Onile', whose actions often create conflicts in urban development and land acquisition in Nigeria. Through a mixed-methods approach, including both qualitative and quantitative data collection, this research identifies the ethical, social, and legal implications of redefining land stewardship from a biblical standpoint, proposing new directions for land use in Nigeria that emphasize fairness, justice, and sustainability with a socio-theological framework, The findings indicate that there is significant religious influence on land ownership practices, with a majority of Nigerians acknowledging divine ownership of land. This study concludes that there is a need for legal and policy reforms that can bridge the gap between customary land systems and formal statutory laws, while it finally recommends that Faith-based organizations should advocate for responsible land use and resolve disputes through ethical frameworks.

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