OBJECTIVE: This study is aimed at documenting the pattern of salivary gland neoplasia histologically diagnosed at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), Jos, North Central Nigeria between January 1987 and December 2002.METHOD: It is a record-based study RESULT: A total of 117 cases of salivary gland neoplasia were diagnosed histologically, with a benign-malignant ratio of 2.8:1. The major glands (89.8%), and specifically parotid gland (52.1%), were the most affected sites. The palate was affected in only 1.7% of the cases. No malignant neoplasm was reported in any intra-oral minor salivary glands.Pleomorphic adenoma (88.4%) was the most common benign neoplasm. It was reported commonly in the parotid gland and in the 2nd decade, with a mean age of occurrence of 29.9 ± 15.3years (M:F ratio = 1:1.1).Mucoepidermoid carcinoma and adenoidcystic carcinoma (22.6%, 16.1%) were the most common malignant neoplasia reported. Mucoepidermoid carcinoma was reported commonly in the 2nd and 5th decades of life, with a mean age of occurrence of 36 ± 14.4 years and an equal gender distribution. There was a 2.5 fold difference in the mean duration of symptoms (p=0.09) between the benign and malignant neoplasia (12 ± 6.9 months and 30.4 ± 24.2 months respectively), with a greater delay recorded for benign lesions of the submandibular gland.The staged malignant lesions were seen in the stages III/IV of the disease main treatments were primary surgery 15(65.2%), radiotherapy 1(4.3%).CONCLUSION: Pleomorphic adenoma and mucoepidermoid carcinoma were the most common benign and malignant neoplasia reported. The delay before presentation and the cancer stage at presentation may be due to the nature of the cancers, the lack of cancer management facilities and manpower in most of the hospitals in the region. The study was funded by a grant from RCORTI for Africa, Jos.