In the title complex, [Ni(C(14)H(9)N(2)O)(2)], the Ni(II) atom lies on an inversion center and is coordinated by the O atom and an N atom of two Schiff base 2-(3-cyano-phenyl-imino-meth-yl)phenolate ligands in a square-planar geometry. The dihedral angle between the cyano-phenyl and phenolate rings is 47.62 (7)°.