Nickel (Ni) is a micronutrient essential to plants at very low concentrations but toxic at high ones. The amount absorbed by crop plants from the soil through their roots depends on the pH and organic matter content, among other ions, such as those of the other metals. Toxic accumulation occurs because of chlorosis, stunted growth, and imbalanced nutrient statuses due to the fact that it is an essential micronutrient that participates in various physiological functions, including urease activation. The three ways in which plants adapt to this environmental stress are through the activation of antioxidant systems to minimize oxidative stress and interaction with organic acids; Ni is also sequestrated in the vacuoles. Breeding programs can take advantage of natural differences in Ni tolerance shown by some crops. Ni-contaminated soils must therefore be managed for safe agricultural production. It can be done through soil amendments, phytoremediation, and Ni-tolerant crop types. In fact, though time-consuming, the use of hyperaccumulator plants in phytoremediation is a sustainable way of reducing the Ni contents in soils. The addition of phosphate or lime or organic matter into the soil reduces the Ni bioavailability resulting in the uptake of lesser amounts of the element by the plants. Therefore, the present study with a focus on understanding the mechanisms of Ni uptake and tolerance in crops provides avenues for controlling Ni contamination in agricultural soils to ensure food safety and sustainable crop production.