By virtue of his status as ordinary of the Birmingham diocese, Nichols played a leading role in the cause of canonisation of Cardinal John Henry Newman, which took place in 2019. In 2008 Nichols oversaw the opening of Newman's grave in Worcestershire, a practice usual in such cases, undertaken with a view to translating Newman's remains to the Birmingham Oratory. However, no human remains were in the event recoverable. Likewise as archbishop, Nichols was Chairman of the Governing Body of Newman University College (now Newman University).