Safety Crackdown: Lagos Moves To Decommission Uncertified Elevators After March 31
The Lagos State Government has issued a final warning to building owners, facility managers and developers across the state to register and obtain safety certification for all elevators and vertical transportation equipment (VTE).
The directive was announced on Friday by the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos State Safety Commission, Lanre Mojola, who said the government will no longer tolerate the operation of uncertified lifts in buildings across the state.
Mojola stated that building owners have until March 31, 2026, to comply with the directive or face enforcement actions, including the immediate shutdown and sealing of non-compliant premises.
He stressed that public safety remains a top priority for the state government, noting that elevators are an essential component of modern urban infrastructure and must be properly maintained to prevent mechanical failures that could endanger lives.
According to him, the rapid growth of high-rise buildings across Lagos has increased the demand for vertical transportation systems, making strict adherence to safety regulations necessary to avoid accidents.
Under the commission’s guidelines, all elevators in residential, commercial and public buildings must be officially registered and certified before being put into operation and must also undergo periodic inspections throughout their lifespan.
To simplify the registration process, the state government has introduced an online platform where owners can register their vertical transportation equipment. The platform also allows regulators to track installations and ensure that new elevators are inspected before they begin operation.
Mojola warned that the grace period is nearing its end and that any elevator found to be unregistered or without a valid safety certificate after the deadline will be decommissioned during a statewide enforcement exercise.
He also urged members of the public to support the safety campaign by reporting faulty elevators, missed maintenance schedules or unregistered lifts through the commission’s safety hotlines, saying collective vigilance is necessary to protect lives and property across the state.
