Two cases of adenomatoid odontogenic tumour affecting the jaws of two young Nigerian Africans are described. One was diagnosed clinically as a cyst, the other as an ossifying fibroma, but their true nature was later unmasked by histopathological studies. Although considered rare, the adenomatoid odontogenic tumour should be borne in mind in the differential diagnosis of radiolucent lesions of the jaws since an incorrect diagnosis may lead to mutilating surgery whereas the lesion is amenable to a conservative surgical approach. It is also important to examine histologically all excised specimens from the jaws even in the so-called 'obvious cases.