An efficient method was developed for the [2 + 3] cycloaddition of sodium azide with nitriles to afford 5-substituted 1H-tetrazoles using nanonickel ferrite (NiFe2O4) as an effective heterogeneous catalyst in dimethylformamide. The main advantages of this method are high yields, simple methodology and easy work-up. The catalyst can be recovered and reused for several cycles with predictable activity. Copyright (c) 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.