The photocatalytic generation of an NADH synthetic analogue, i.e. 1-benzyl-1,4-dihydronicotinamide (1,4-BNAH), has been studied using the cobalt diimino-dioxime complexes and the BF2-bridged derivative as catalysts. 1,4-BNAH was produced in both aqueous and organic media at unprecedented turnover numbers with metal and organic photosensitizers, respectively.