This study investigated the comparative analysis of fresh and air dried wild lettuce (Lactuca taraxacifolia) leaves with the aim of determining its nutritional components as potential forage in ruminants’ nutrition. Fresh wild lettuce leaves (FWLL) were harvested from Teaching and Research Farm of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile–Ife, and taken to the laboratory for the analysis of the proximate composition. The fresh leaves were then air dried for seven days, and samples of air dried wild lettuce leaves (ADWLL) were analyzed for proximate composition. The results showed that wild lettuce leaves (FWLL and ADWLL) contains (9.47– 12.56%) moisture content, (87.44–90.55%) dry matter, (28.16–30.75%) crude protein, (10.64–14.34%) crude fibre, (4.86–5.03%) fat, (9.80–13.11%) ash and (29.89–31.41%) carbohydrates. The moisture content and crude protein of FWLL were significantly (p<0.05) higher than that of ADWLL. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in the values of crude fat and carbohydrate content of FWLL and ADWLL. However, the crude fibre and ash contents of ADWLL were significantly (p<0.05) higher than that of FWLL. Wild lettuce can be utilized as quality forage in ruminants’ nutrition and the air dried wild lettuce leaves have the potential to serve as dry season source of nutrients for ruminants.