The research aimed to evaluate the performance of neem seed oil as a cutting fluid in orthogonal machining of aluminium-manganese alloy 3003, carbide cutting tool insert was used as a cutting tool under different machining parameters of spindle speed, feed rate and depth of cut with different types of cutting fluids (neem seed oil and soluble oil) as well as dry machining. The results were obtained in terms of the average surface roughness of the machined workpiece and flank wear under different cutting parameters (spindle speed, feed rate and depth of cut). The results indicated that the neem seed oil cutting fluid reduced the surface roughness by 39% and 22% as compared to dry turning and soluble oil cutting respectively. It was established from the results that the neem seed oil cutting fluid reduced the flank wear by 72% and 56% as compared to dry turning and soluble oil cutting respectively. Based on the study, it can be concluded that neem seed oil cutting fluid facilitates a better surface finish and substantial reduction in tool wear when compared with dry and soluble oil machining.