The defending champions thus finished second in Group B on six points, while Mali, who surprisingly lost 0-2 to Gabon, finished top by virtue of a better head-to-head record as they also recorded six points.
The defending champions will now face Egypt on Tuesday in one of the semi-finals, while Mali battle Ghana for the right to play in the championship game at the weekend.
“The most important thing was for us to qualify for the World Cup and we have done that,” said Flying Eagles Coach, John Obuh.
“And now that we have done that, we can look forward to our next game with a lot of confidence.”
Both Nigeria and DRC started out brightly on Saturday at the Ahmed Zabana Stadium but like it was in previous group games, the Flying carved out clear-cut openings.
Umar Aminu, in for the suspended Olanrewaju Kayode, came close after 10 minutes, with an angled shot, which did not miss by much.
In the 22nd minute, goal-bound Edafe Egbedi was upended inside the DRC vital area but his appeal for a penalty was overlooked by the referee from Rwanda.
Three minutes later, skipper Abduljaleel Ajagun scoffed his shot well inside the box.
The Nigerians were finally rewarded for their attacking play in the 32nd minute when Egbedi was brought down again on his way to goal.
Ajagun stepped up to tuck the ball past goalkeeper Landu Bakala.
The Flying Eagles doubled their lead in the 39th minute when Aminu finished off another build-up with a simple tap in from inside the box.
Aminu got his brace two minutes after the break when he chipped beyond the DRC goalkeeper.
Ajagun then had his effort ruled for offside in the 53rd minute.
But to the credit of the DRC, they did not surrender and their persistence finally paid off in the 72nd minute when Mukanisa Pembele smashed home from inside the box.
Substitute Uche Agbo saw his powerful shot scrambled for a corner by the goalkeeper two minutes from the end.
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