A Schiff base ligand (Z)-N-((Z)-2-(sec-butylimino)-1,2-diphenylethylidene)butan-2-amine was synthesized by condensation of benzil with sec-butyl amine. Complexation of the ligand was carried out with first row transition elements, manganese(II) and nickel(II). Ligand and complexes were characterized by FTIR, elemental analysis and thermogravimetric analysis in solid state and by NMR ($^1H,;^{13}C$) in solution form. Both the complexes demonstrate good catalytic activity for butadiene oligomerization under mild conditions with methylaluminoxane (MAO) as co-catalyst.