Hydrogen-atom abstraction from M E(H) to generate M=E-containing complexes (E = PR, NR) is not well studied because only a few complexes are known to undergo such reactions. Hydrogen-atom abstraction from nickel(I) phosphide and amide complexes led to the corresponding phosphinidene and imide compounds. These reactions are unparalleled in the organometallic chemistry of nickel and feature an unusual example of a transition-metal phosphinidene synthesized by hydrogen-atom abstraction.