Many years ago it was possible to get aluminum cooking pots that were anodized and dyed bright colors. These never showed any problems during years of use.
Nickel plating is going to be much more expensive and my expectation is that it would be less resistant to thermal cycling than anodizing. Remember all aluminum has an oxidized surface and anodizing simply makes it thicker. Nickel plating is on top of the natural anodized surface at it does not adhere particularly well.
An open mind is a virtue...so long as all the common sense has not leaked out.