Lift and Elevator Codes and Standards in Nigeria

Federally, lifts are regulated as work equipment under the Factories Act CAP F1 (LFN 2004) through the Lifting and Allied Work Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2018 (S.I. No. 3, Official Gazette No. 6 Vol. 106, 11 Jan 2018), enforced by the Director of Factories (Federal Ministry of Labour): elevators, escalators, manlifts and hoists are 'elevating devices' that may only be used if licensed by the Director (licence valid 3 years, issued on an Approved Person's condition report), hoists and lifts must be thoroughly examined by a Director-certified Approved Person at least every six months, maintenance contractors must be registered, and equipment must follow the latest relevant ISO standards and safety codes. At state level, the Lagos State Safety Commission requires every elevator and other vertical transportation equipment to be registered and certified on its platform, inspects before commissioning and runs periodic audits, and sealed non-compliant buildings from 30 April 2026. The National Building Code is not yet law nationally (SON was still calling for its enactment in 2025).

Who regulates lifts

Director of Factories, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment (federal, Factories Act); Lagos State Safety Commission (Lagos)

Periodic inspection

Thorough examination of hoists and lifts at least every 6 months by an Approved Person certified by the Director of Factories (LAWES Regs 2018 reg. 11(4)(b)); elevating-device licence renewed every 3 years; Lagos: VTE registration + certification and periodic safety audits

Installer and maintenance licensing

Yes (federal): repair/maintenance/servicing contractors registered by the Director of Factories (reg. 27); Approved Persons need ≥10 years' experience, employment with a registered Inspection Agency and an attestation from the Lifting Equipment Inspectors Association in Nigeria; operators certified

Laws, codes and standards

Factories Act CAP F1 LFN 2004 (2004) — Factories Act
Mandatory · Act of the National Assembly (consolidated LFN 2004) · Federal Republic of Nigeria
Lagos State Safety Commission elevator / VTE registration and certification requirement — Mandatory registration and certification of elevators and vertical transportation equipment in Lagos State
Mandatory · Lagos State Safety Commission powers (statute not named in the sources seen) · Lagos State Safety Commission
Lifting and Allied Work Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2018 (S.I. No. 3) (2018) — Lifting and Allied Work Equipment (Safety) Regulations, 2018
Mandatory · Made under s.49 Factories Act CAP F1, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004; Official Gazette No. 6, Vol. 106, 11 January 2018 · Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment (Director of Factories)
National Building Code (Nigeria) — National Building Code
Voluntary · Applies subject to adoption by the states; SON urged the National Assembly in Feb 2025 to pass it into law · Federal Government of Nigeria

Lift associations and bodies

Director of Factories, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment
Lagos State Safety Commission (LSSC)
Lifting Equipment Inspectors Association in Nigeria
Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON)

Last verified 2026-10-17. Standards are copyrighted: we list which one applies and its legal status, not its text.