Rivers United beat Rayon Sports 2-0 in the CAF Confederations Cup playoffs first leg at the Yakub Gowon Stadium on Sunday.
Atuloma broke the deadlock a minute to the half hour mark – a lead they carried into the breather.
Six minutes into the second half, Guy Kuemian doubled the lead with a superb range shot to wrap up the game early.
The Nigerians will travel to Rwanda in a week’s time for the second leg with the aggregate winner qualifying for the group phase.