The invention discloses a high-specific surface area mesoporous nickel oxide hydrogenation catalyst and a preparation method of the high-specific surface area mesoporous nickel oxide hydrogenation catalyst. The preparation method of the catalyst comprises the following steps of: taking high-specific surface area mesoporous nickel oxide as a carrier and active metal, taking sol prepared by peptizing agent and metallic nickel inorganic salt as binder, kneading in a mixing way, forming by means of strip squeezing, drying and roasting, so that the catalyst can be prepared. The high-specific surface area mesoporous nickel oxide carrier used in the catalyst disclosed by the invention takes nickel salt as a nickel source, non-ionic surface active agent as structure-directing agent, and organic matter having the function of solubilization as auxiliary pore-forming agent, and is prepared by a sol-gel method. According to the catalyst disclosed by the invention, the problems that the nickel hydrogenation catalyst is prepared by taking nickel oxide and aluminum oxide as carriers, the specific surface area of the catalyst is reduced, and the pore volume is lowered when the nickel content is higher in the catalyst in the prior art can be solved; and the catalyst is high in hydrogenation activity, high in raw material adaptability, and good in running stability.