He was born in Bologna (Italy), in 1943. After high school and military service, he enrolled at the Academy of Fine Arts in Bologna. Unhappy with the environment and relations with professors, in his third year he decided to leave his studies. In 1968, he went to England to meet Henry Moore, who hosted him in his studio for a month. In 1975, he began working at the Academy of Fine Arts in Bologna as an assistant to sculptor Quint Ghermandi.

From 1997 to 2004, he was the head of the Department of Sculpture at the Brera Academy in Milan. Numerous public works by Nicola Zamboni, created from 1970 to the present day, have been exhibited throughout Italy. His drawings, sketches and sculptures have been included in many private collections around the world.

He participated in the Mediterranean Sculpture Symposium in 1972.