OBJECTIVE: To highlight the occurrence of orosurgical lesions managed in the Department of Oral Surgery, to observe and suggest solutions for the problems peculiar to the department. METHODS: This was a cross sectional study based on patients' medical records. Medical records of 226 patients seen during 2003 and 2005 period were scrutinized and compiled according to the pathological category of the lesions, i.e. developmental, neoplastic, traumatic, infectious and cystic. Data on background information were also recorded. RESULTS: Neoplasia formed the highest prevalence of 21%, whereas developmental category formed only 4%. Morbidity was high and mortality low. Reasons for the delay in reporting to the department were mostly based on ignorance and prolonged consultation at the native healers' shrines. CONCLUSIONS: Patients' delay in reporting to the department resulted in inoperable lesions. Attempts at operation more often than not resulted in extensive tissue destruction, e.g. total mandibulectomy resulted in loss of speech, poor feeding/malnutrition and even death. The volume of patients and consequently, the work overwhelmed the staff. Intensive community education to both individuals and native healers shoul be undertaken so as the patients can report early for proper management.