Impact of the temperature and the period of time of the calcination and reduction processes of precursor of nickel-aluminium catalyst on the degree of nickel oxide reduction and the concentration of water vapor in gases leaving the precursor＇s layer is presented. Activity of obtained catalysts in the process of benzene hydrogenation at temperature 130 to 190 degrees C was determined. The catalyst＇s activity depends mainly upon the temperature and the period of time the precursor was kept in the atmosphere whith gases of high concentration of water vapor.