It is the same for NoNameMAME as it is for MAME.
First make sure that ctrlr_directory points to the ctrlr directory. The default is ctrlr.
### Windows path and directory options ###
rompath roms
samplepath samples
# inipath <NULL> (not set)
cfg_directory cfg
nvram_directory nvram
memcard_directory memcard
input_directory inp
hiscore_directory hi
state_directory sta
artwork_directory artwork
snapshot_directory snap
diff_directory diff
ctrlr_directory ctrlr
cheat_file cheat.dat
history_file history.dat
mameinfo_file mameinfo.dat
Second, make sure that ctrlr under "Input Device Options" points to the correct directory under the ctrlr_directory.
### Input device options ###
mouse 1
joystick 0
lightgun 0
steadykey 0
keyboard_leds 1
a2d_deadzone 0.300000
ctrlr rcb
Third, you must have a default.ini file in the rcb directory.