A selective nickel-based hydrogenation catalyst and the preparation thereof, characterized in that: provided that the catalyst is weighed 100%, it comprises nickel oxide 14-20% as active component, lanthanum oxide and/or cerium oxide 2-8%, and VIB element oxide 1-8% as aids, 2-8% silica, 1-8% alkaline earth metal oxides, and alumina as the balance. The catalyst specific surface area is 60-150 m2/g, and the pore volume is 0.4-0.6 ml/g. The catalyst has good hydrogenation performance, especially impurity and colloid resistance and hydrogenation stability. The catalyst can be applied to the diolefin selective hydrogenation of medium or low-distillate oil, especially of the full-distillates pyrolysis gasoline.