A Ni-BiO x /SBA-15 catalyst synthesized using a co-impregnation method was utilized for the oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) of n-butenes (1butene and 2-butene) to 1,3-butadiene in a fixed-bed reactor. The layered structure of NiO/β-Bi 2 O 3 /Bi 2 SiO 5 /SBA-15 was confirmed using porosity, XRD, and H 2 -TPR measurements. The components of the structure interacted moderately to form an effectively active and selective NiO species as an ODH catalyst. Thermodynamic analysis results revealed the most favorable pathway for butene conversion; however, this catalyst kinetically favored the desired and efficient route of butene conversion via adsorption of butenes, abstraction of αhydrogen, and the formation of highly selective 1,3-butadiene. The selectivity of the oxygen species in the metal oxide system along the efficient route was sustained by co-feeding gas phase oxygen and increasing the reaction temperature. The catalyst comprising 14 wt % Ni-10 wt % Bi-O/SBA-15 exhibited a 2-butene conversion of 83% and a 1,3-butadiene selectivity of 89% at 400 °C and O 2 /C 4 = ratio = 4.0 mol/mol.