Crossword Genius

African country, one a republic (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

nigeria

'republic' is the definition.
(I know that Nigeria is a federal republic)

'african country one a' is the wordplay.
'african country' becomes 'niger' (country in Africa).
'one' becomes 'i' (Roman numeral).
'niger'+'i'+'a'='NIGERIA'

(Other definitions for nigeria that I've seen before include "Country bordered by Benin, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon" , "In rage I turn to this country" , "Possible home for African" , "West African state" , "W. African country" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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