Hydrogen, as clean energy, has been considered as a promising alternative to the fossil fuel. The development of safe, efficient and stable hydrogen storage materials is one of the biggest challenges in the current hydrogen energy research. Ammonia borane has become an important chemical solid-state hydrogen storage material due to its high hydrogen storage capacity (146 g·L-1, mass fraction is 19.6%), safety, non-toxicity and high chemical stability. Hydrogen generation by hydrolysis of ammonia borane can be carried out under the mild conditions with the presence of suitable catalyst. The hydrogen production rate of ammonia borane hydrolysis can be significantly improved by adjusting the active components, particle size, dispersion degree of active component, electronic structure, et al. This paper reviews the research progress of Ni-based catalysts in the hydrolysis of ammonia borane for hydrogen production in recent years. The application of nickel elementals, nickel compounds and nickel alloy catalysts for ammonia borane hydrolysis is mainly summarized. Meanwhile, the reaction mechanism of ammonia borane hydrolysis for hydrogen production is described. The development trend and the potential challenges of hydrogen production from ammonia borane hydrolysis are prospected.