The thickness distribution of electroplating is, as you say, no where near as good as electroless, but as long as there's electrolyte in there, you'll get some nickel to deposit. Just plate at lower current for longer. There's also the fact that mixing up a respectable nickel electroplating bath only involves 3 ingredients, whereas an electroless nickel bath is a substantially more complicated beast. If you need some advice on it, do reach out. Electroplating is one of the few things about which I am qualified to speak.