A catalyst comprising nickel on a TiO.sub.2 support is obtainable by coprecipitation of nickel and at least one further metal selected from among Si, Zr, Hf, alkaline earth metals, Y, La and Ce, and optionally at least one dopant metal selected from groups 5 to 11 of the Periodic Table of the Elements, from a solution in which the corresponding metal salts are present onto a particulate TiO.sub.2 support, subsequent drying, calcination and reduction and optionally passivation to give the nickel-containing catalyst. It is used, in particular, for the hydrogenation of nitroaromatic compounds.