The Lagos State Government has issued a firm ultimatum to property owners, building managers, and developers that all elevators and other vertical transportation equipment (VTE) must be registered and certified for safety by March 31, 2026, or face immediate decommissioning and potential sealing of premises.
In an announcement made on Friday by Lanre Mojola, Director-General and CEO of the Lagos State Safety Commission, described the directive as a “final Riot Act” aimed at curbing preventable accidents in the city’s booming high-rise environment.
With Lagos’ skyline expanding rapidly due to urbanization and increasing vertical development, Mojola stressed that elevators are vital to modern infrastructure but must meet rigorous safety standards to protect lives.
“Public safety is non-negotiable,” Mojola said, adding that “As the demand for vertical transportation surges, it must be matched by strict adherence to established safety protocols. We will no longer tolerate uncertified lifts operating in residential, commercial, or public buildings.”
Under the commission’s guidelines, all elevators—new and existing—require official registration and certification both at initial commissioning and through ongoing periodic audits. The state has launched a dedicated online portal at www.lasgsafetyreg.com to simplify the digital registration process for stakeholders, allowing inspections before equipment is used and regular monitoring thereafter.
Mojola warned that the grace period is nearing its end, saying that after March 31, 2026, any unregistered or uncertified elevator will be decommissioned in a sweeping enforcement operation, warning that non-compliant building owners could see their properties shut down and sealed as part of intensified crackdowns.
To bolster compliance, the Safety Commission is urging public participation. Residents, office workers, and visitors are encouraged to report faulty elevators, neglected maintenance, or unregistered units via the commission’s hotlines: 08033252687 or 08060918759.
This initiative builds on the commission’s longstanding efforts to promote safety in high-risk sectors, including recent workshops and stakeholder engagements focused on elevator standards. By combining regulatory enforcement, digital tools, and community whistleblowing, the Lagos State Government aims to instill a culture of shared responsibility and deter any prioritization of cost-cutting over human lives.
