Lagos State Government has issued a firm deadline for building owners and facility managers to register and certify all elevators operating in the state.

It warned that any elevator found running without regulatory approval would be decommissioned after March 31, 2026.

Director-General of the Lagos State Safety Commission, Lanre Mojola, announced the directive, at the weekend, stressing that the state government will begin strict enforcement against buildings operating uncertified vertical transportation equipment.

He said the move is aimed at preventing avoidable accidents in the state’s rapidly expanding high-rise environment, adding that elevators in residential, commercial, and public buildings must be properly registered and certified before they can continue operations.

Mojola said that as the skyline of Lagos State continues to expand, the demand for elevators and other vertical transportation equipment has increased significantly, making strict adherence to safety standards critical to safeguarding lives.

According to him, the Commission requires that all elevators be registered and certified before they are commissioned and subjected to periodic inspections throughout their operational lifespan.

He said that to ease compliance, the state government has introduced an online platform that enables property owners and facility managers to digitally register elevators for inspection and safety certification.

He noted that while newly installed lifts must undergo inspection before use, existing elevators must undergo regular safety audits to ensure they remain safe for public use.

Mojola, therefore, warned that the grace period granted to building owners is fast approaching its end, adding that any elevator found to be unregistered or lacking a valid safety certification after the deadline will be shut down as part of a statewide enforcement exercise.

However, some property owners have urged the government to ensure that the registration and inspection process remains efficient and accessible to avoid disruptions to building operations.

A commercial building owner on Lagos Island, Adewale Johnson, who spoke with The Guardian at the weekend, said while the directive is necessary to improve safety standards, authorities should also ensure that the certification process does not become cumbersome for property owners.