This study investigated efficiency of tetramethyl ammonium hydroxide pentahydrate (TMAH) in removal of heavy metal ions from heavy oils obtained from Nigerian oil sands by Soxhlet-extraction technique. Metals were removed from the heavy oils at variable temperatures using TMAH. Elemental analysis was done using Atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). Percentage recovery was ≥92.85%, confirming reliability of results. Total metal concentrations followed order: Ni > Pb > Mn > Cu > Cr > Cd. Analysis of variance results showed that F