The Lagos State Government has warned building owners, developers, and facility managers to register and certify all elevators, or face decommissioning after March 31, 2026.

The announcement came on Friday from the Director-General and CEO of the Lagos State Safety Commission, Lanre Mojola, who said the government will enforce compliance aggressively to prevent avoidable accidents as the city experiences a surge in high-rise developments.

“Elevators and other vertical transportation equipment are critical to modern urban infrastructure and must be properly registered and maintained to ensure public safety,” Mojola stated.

Under the commission’s safety regulations, all elevators in residential, commercial, and public buildings must be officially registered and certified before being put into operation and throughout their operational lifespan.

Building owners who fail to comply risk immediate shutdown and sealing of their premises.

To make compliance easier, the state has launched a digital platform at www.lasgsafetyreg.com.

The platform allows new installations to be inspected before carrying passengers, while existing elevators will undergo periodic safety audits.

Mojola urged residents and office workers to support the initiative by reporting faulty elevators, poor maintenance, or unregistered lifts through the Commission’s safety hotlines.

He stressed that public participation and strict enforcement are key to fostering a culture of safety and accountability in Lagos.

PUNCH Online reports that several residents of an apartment building on Banana Island raised the alarm after being trapped inside an elevator on Monday. (The PUNCH)

• PHOTO: Director General, Lagos State Safety Commission, Lanre Mojola. Photo credit: Lagos State Safety Commission