Batch adsorption studies have been carried out to remove Cu (II) and Ni (II) ion from aqueous solution using cellulose extracted from sisal fiber and cellulose-g-acrylonitrile copolymer by steam explosion method. The effect of pH, contact time and amount of adsorbent dose have also been investigated for both cellulose extracted from sisal fiber and cellulose-g-acrylonitrile copolymer. From the observed results, it is evident that the adsorption of metal ions increases with the increase in contact time and adsorbent dosage. The optimum pH is found to be 5.0 for the removal of copper (II) and nickel (II) for both the extracted cellulose and cellulose-g-acrylonitrile copolymer. The adsorption kinetics of cellulose and cellulose-g-acrylonitrile is found to follow pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The experimental data are fitted to Langmuir adsorption isotherms for both cellulose extracted from sisal fiber and cellulose-g-acrylonitrile copolymer. From the results it is concluded that the cellulose graft acrylonitrile copolymer is found to be efficient adsorbent for the removal of heavy metals from aqeous solutions.