We herein report a nickel-catalyzed migratory cycloisomerization of o-alkynylanilides, giving 2,3-disubstituted indoles in good yields. The cyclization proceeded via acyl transfer on the nitrogen atom of the substrate to C3position in the product, and an N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligand such as ICy or SICy was found to be suitable in this reaction. It was thought that the reaction proceeds via an aza-nickelcyclepentene intermediate formed from alkyne and the C=O bond of the amide moiety in o-alkynylanilides.