Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Shittu moved to England when he was seven years old and raised in the "tough area of London's East End".

[2] Growing up as "one of seven brothers and sisters", Shittu started out his football career in the youth team of Carshalton Athletic of the Isthmian League, but struggled and was released.

[3] But Charlton Athletic gave him a one-week trial after convincing the club's academy that he was good enough in a "20 minutes phone call".

[8] Soon after signing a contract extension with the club, he was loaned out to Blackpool[9] and scored on his debut on 22 February 2001, in a 2–0 win over Lincoln City.

[17] Shittu's debut for Rangers as a loanee, away at Peterborough on 23 October 2001 in a Football League One fixture, was rather inauspicious ending in his being sent off in the 83rd minute.

Shittu went on to have a very successful spell at Loftus Road becoming a fan's favourite for his robust and combative performances in the heart of the defence.

In the 2003–04 season, Shittu continued to be a first team regular for the side until he suffered a knee injury that kept him out for months in late–September, which he sustained during a 2–0 win over Sheffield United in the League Cup.

[41] However, in October, Shittu suffered a medial knee ligament during a 1–0 win over West Ham United, resulting him out for six weeks.

[46] As the 2004–05 season, Shittu managed to regain his first team place since returning from injury and went on to make thirty–seven appearances and scoring four times in all competitions.

[47] After serving a one match ban, Shittu returned to the first team from suspension and then scored his first goal of the season, in a 1–1 draw against Southampton on 10 September 2005.

[54] This move was controversial, as Shittu had passed a medical at West Bromwich Albion, before a late call from Watford manager Aidy Boothroyd.

[57] Since making his debut, Shittu became a first regular for the side in the Premier League despite being left out of the squad on several occasions[58][59] and has been praised by the Watford supporters.

[74] Shittu also scored twice in the FA third round on 5 January 2008, in a 2–0 win over Crystal Palace,[75] which his performance was praised by Manager Boothroyd.

[76] After missing out several matches throughout January, due to international commitment,[77] Shittu then managed to score both for and against his former club, Charlton Athletic on 16 February 2008.

[80] Following the club's failure reach promotion back to the Premier League, Shittu was linked a move away from Watford, with Rangers keen on signing him.

[84] Shittu left Watford in August 2008 to join Premier League side Bolton Wanderers for a fee of £2m plus further add-ons.

[91] However, Shittu struggled to become a first team regular at Bolton Wanderers, spending most of the season on a substitute bench and his own injury concern.

[101][102] During Shittu's absence from the Premier League, he made regular appearances for the Bolton reserves team, playing with the likes of Nicky Hunt before his release.

[108] Since making his Millwall debut, Shittu made an impressive string of performances that Manager Kenny Jackett offered him a new contract in January.

[109] However, he left the club on 25 January 2011 after his 93 days contract at Millwall expired and expected to sign for Queens Park Rangers.

[112][113] After the match, Shittu's performance, along with Fitz Hall, were praised by Manager Neil Warnock for keeping a clean sheet and hinted a partnership for games to come.

[114] However, in a 2–0 loss against Millwall on 8 March 2011, Shittu was sent–off in the second half for a professional foul, leading to a penalty scored by Liam Trotter.

[124] After a rough start, having appeared as an unused substitute, Shittu regained his first team place and was then given a captaincy in absence of both captains Robinson and Trotter, in a match against Bristol City, which saw them draw 1–1 on 2 October 2012.

[125][126] In a 2–1 win over Bolton Wanderers on 6 October 2012, Shittu's performance throughout 90 minutes resulted him being named Man of the Match by the supporters.

[130] On 13 March he scored the only goal, a header away to Blackburn Rovers to put Millwall into the FA Cup semi-final against Wigan Athletic at Wembley Stadium.

[139] However, Shittu was demoted to the substitute in number of matches by the end of 2013 before his return to the first team on 26 December 2013 against Watford was short–lived when he received a red card in early first half, in a 4–0.

[153] At the end of the season, making eleven appearances and scoring two times in all competitions, Shittu was among eighteen players to be released by the club following their relegation in the League One.

[157] He was a regular under coach Berti Vogts and played a significant role for the Super Eagles team that lost in the quarter-finals of the 2008 CAF Africa Cup of Nations to hosts Ghana.

[159][160][161] Shittu was involved in the qualification for the 2010 FIFA World Cup making four appearances for the Super Eagles with his first coming in a 1–0 win away to South Africa on 6 June 2008.

[165] Despite making no appearances for Bolton Wanderers in the 2009–10 season, Shittu was selected for the 23-man Nigeria squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.