Lagos Sets March 31 Deadline for Elevator Registration, Safety Certification

Lagos State Safety Commission (LSSC)

Lagos Sets March 31 Deadline for Elevator Registration, Safety Certification

The Lagos State Safety Commission (LSSC) has ordered all building owners, facility managers, and developers to register and certify every elevator and vertical transportation system (VTE) in their properties before March 31, 2026, warning that non-compliant lifts will be decommissioned or shut down. The directive, announced by Lanre Mojola, Director-General and CEO of the LSSC, aims to strengthen public safety in Lagos’s high-rise environment. Mojola noted that elevators are an integral part of the city’s rapidly expanding urban infrastructure, and ensuring their safety is critical to preventing avoidable accidents. He said, “All elevators in residential, commercial, and public buildings must be registered with the commission and certified before operation and throughout their service life. As Lagos’s skyline continues to grow, strict adherence to safety standards must match the increasing reliance on vertical transportation.”

To facilitate compliance, the commission has launched an online registration platform where building owners and facility managers can register their elevators digitally. Under the new directive, new elevators must undergo inspection before commissioning, while existing elevators will be subject to periodic safety audits to detect potential faults or maintenance lapses. Property owners are required to provide all technical documentation and proof of compliance for verification by the LSSC, ensuring that elevators operate safely for tenants, employees, and visitors.

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Mojola emphasized that enforcement will begin immediately after the March 31 deadline, and any elevator found without a valid registration or safety certificate will be shut down. The commission also urged residents, tenants, and office users to support the initiative by reporting unregistered or faulty lifts via official safety hotlines and digital platforms. According to the government, the initiative is part of broader efforts to enhance building safety, ensure adherence to regulatory standards, and protect residents in Lagos State’s densely populated urban centers.

Experts have highlighted that Lagos’s rapid urbanisation and proliferation of high-rise buildings make elevator safety a critical public concern. Poorly maintained lifts can pose risks of entrapment, mechanical failure, and serious injury, particularly during power outages or emergencies. The directive reinforces previous Lagos State reforms in building compliance, fire safety, and infrastructure inspections, reflecting the government’s effort to create a safer, more resilient urban environment for residents, workers, and visitors. Building owners are therefore advised to complete registration and certification before March 31, 2026, to avoid fines, penalties, or operational shutdowns.