Research on international democracy promotion in Africa often emphasises the altruistic intent of the sender, who aims to improve the political landscape in recipient countries, while neglecting other underlying motivations or agendas. Regarding the relations between the European Union (EU) and Nigeria, a few studies have focused on the internal factors in Nigeria that necessitate EU support for democracy. There has also been little exploration of reasons why these external actions have largely failed. The lack of knowledge limits the effectiveness of promoting democracy. The paper presents a qualitative case study that investigates how the EU can promote democracy in Nigeria in ways that suit the local context. Content analysis indicates how the EU’s rhetoric on democracy promotion is clouded by other foreign policy interests, contributing to a fragile democratic environment in Nigeria. The EU’s promotion of democracy is often shaped by internal considerations and is subordinate to the EU’s own strategic interests, particularly regarding migration, economic stability, and geopolitical influence. This situation results in a selective strategy that favours cooperation over resource management instead of enforcing democratic principles. Recommendations are offered to improve the effectiveness of democracy promotion.