Rilwan Shittu
Law Clerk
Rilwan Shittu joined the firm’s finance group in 2022. Prior to joining the firm, Rilwan worked as an associate at a top tier Nigerian law firm in Lagos for three years, where he advised indigenous, international and multinational entities on commercial transactions that span finance, capital markets, mergers and acquisitions across various industries.
He subsequently completed a LLM degree at the New York University School of Law as a Dean’s Graduate Scholar, where he also served as a graduate editor of the NYU Journal of Law and Business and a research fellow at the NYU Pollack Center for Law and Business.
He also briefly worked with the legal operations and policy group at the World Bank as an international finance and development fellow.
Experience
- Advised Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc on its proposed circa £382 million cash acquisition of the entire issued share capital of Aberdeen oil group, Eland Oil and Gas Plc*
- Advised on the merger of BUA Cement Plc (formerly, Obu Cement Limited) with Cement Company of Northern Nigeria Plc, resulting in an enlarged BUA Cement Plc, becoming the 3rd largest company on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (with a a market cap of $3.3B (NGN1.18TRN). This deal was voted the Deal of the Year 2020 by DealMakers Africa*
- Advised Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc on its USD$500 Million Eurobond Issuance Programme under Rule 144A and Regulation S*
- Advised Citigroup Global Markets Ltd in connection with a cross-currency swap transaction involving the Central Bank of Nigeria*
- Advised the World Bank Group on the Identity for Africa Project in Nigeria, specifically providing advisory on issues relating to identity management, data protection and privacy*
- Advised Canal+, a French film and Television Company on its acquisition of ROK Studios from IROKOtv, one of Nigeria’s largest media companies*
- Advised Kupanda Capital, a leading American investment and advisory firm established to incubate, capitalize and scale pan-African companies on its equity investment in Mavin Records, the biggest indigenous record label in Nigeria, among others*
Publications
- Author, “Mandatory ESG and Climate-Risk Disclosures: An Appraisal of the SEC’s Proposition,” NYU Journal of Law and Business (October 11, 2021)
- Author, “Cryptocurrency Regulation – Emerging Trends,” NYU Journal of Law and Business (February 15, 2021)
- Author, “The Economic Impact of COVID-19 on the Labour Market,” Stears Business (May 5, 2020)
- Author, “What are the biggest problems with Nigeria's Banking system?” Stears Business (April 11, 2019)
Disclaimer
Ropes & Gray International LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in Delaware, United States of America and is a recognised body regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (with registered number 521000).Education
- LLM, New York University School of Law, 2022; Graduate Editor, NYU Journal of Law and Business; Graduate Research Assistant, NYU Pollack Center for Law and Business; Teaching Assistant, Graduate Lawyering Program; International Finance and Development Fellow, 2021-2022
- Qualifying Certificate to Practice Law in Nigeria, Second Class Honours (Upper Division), Nigerian Law School, 2017
- LLB, Second Class Honours (Upper Division), University of Lagos, 2016; Secretary General, Law Students’ Society; Academic Secretary, Tax Club
Admissions / Qualifications
Qualifications
- Nigeria, 2017