Lagos Cracks Down on Unsafe Elevators, Gas Shops as Govt Shifts to Strict Enforcement
The Lagos State Government has moved from advice to enforcement, sealing at least 12 facilities and shutting over 150 illegal gas shops in a renewed push to restore safety standards in Nigeria’s most vibrant city.
The tough stance emerged during the latest _Ask Lagos_ X Space discussion, where the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso and the General Manager of the Lagos State Safety Commission, Lanre Mojola represented by his Technical Adviser,
@AwojobiSeun described as a “zero maintenance culture” among facility managers despite the availability of world-class technology in Lagos high-rises.
Commissioner for Information and Strategy,
@gbenga_omo , said the recent wave of building closures was triggered by recurring safety failures, including a fatal lift crash at General Hospital Odan and a Banana Island incident where residents were trapped in an elevator for more than an hour.
“There’s a disconnect between the world-class technology we have in Lagos and the ‘zero’ maintenance culture practiced by facility managers,” Omotoso said. “Many property owners prioritize profit over life safety, viewing maintenance as an optional expense.”
He listed common failures as jerking movements, doors failing to open, and non-functional emergency alarms — all of which he said will no longer be tolerated.
Technical Adviser Mr. Seun Awojobi said the Lagos State Safety Commission has adopted the European N81 safety standard as its regulatory benchmark.
Awojobi said key requirements include mandatory bi-annual inspections by certified regulators and monthly maintenance logs performed by Original Equipment Manufacturers. He added that Automatic Rescue Devices must now be installed to ensure lifts reach the next floor during power outages.
Every elevator must also display a “Certificate of Compliance.” He urged citizens to report buildings without the certificate, stressing that owners must register equipment at lasgsafetyreg.com. Following a March 31 deadline, the Commission sealed 12 facilities in Lekki and Ikeja for non-compliance.
#Asklas
